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THE 



. P. WAR. 




&TZ/ P 




THE 
RISE, PROGRESS, AND TERMINATION 

OF THE 

$♦ $♦ War, 

IN POETIC EPISTLES, 

OR 

HUDIBRASTIC LETTERS, 

From Ap Simpkins in Town, to his Friend 
Ap Davies in Wales; 

INCLUDING 

ALL THE BEST SONGS, PLACARDS, TOASTS, 

Sfc. %c. 

Which were written, exhibited, and given en the Occasion $ 
WITH ILLUSTRATIVE NOTES, 

Br THOMAS TEGG. 

Arma virumque 




LONDON: 
Published by THOMAS TEGG, 111, Cheapside, 

1810. 






Heney, Printer, Crown. Court, Alder*gate-Street 



To 

HENRY CLIFFORD, Esq. 

Barrister at Law, 

these 

POETIC EPISTLES, 

or 

Hudibrastic Letters, 

Relative to the 

O. P. WAR, 

are, 
With all due deference and respect, 
Inscribed by 

His most obedient, 

Humble Servant, 
THE AUTHOR. 

Ill, Chcapiidi. 



PREFACE. 



Though accounts of this memora- 
ble war, which the O. P/s (or the 
advocates for old prices) had waged 
against the Proprietors of the new 
Theatre-Royal, Covent- Garden, for 
sixty-six nights, on and after the 
opening of the new theatre ( 1809-10 ), 
have been already laid before the 
public, yet a humorous history in 
Hudibrastic letters, will, it is pre- 
sumed, not be unacceptable. The 



V1U PREFACE. 

rise, progress, and termination of this 
war are certainly excellent subjects 
for the comic muse. If the execution 
of the work be found deficient, the 
author's apologies are, that it is a 
first attempt, and that he delayed 
awhile in order to see if a more able 
poet would undertake the task ; but 
finding it passed over, he therefore, 
with all due submission and respect, 
offers the public this humble and 
hasty composition. Though haste 
cannot be justly admitted as an apo- 
logy for a poetical work, yet in the 
present instance it may have some 
claim to indulgence, seeing that fur- 
ther delay would have rendered his 
theme stale and unacceptable. 



PREFACE, IX 

It may, perhaps, be said, that as 
hostilities between the public and 
managers have now ceased, the causes 
should also be buried in oblivion. 
This attempt, however, is not in- 
tended to revive them to the preju- 
dice of either party. The author has 
avoided all partial, ill-natured re- 
marks^ and no individual, though he 
may form a principal actor in the 
present narrative, can be offended 
with Ap Simfkins % s account. The 
death of O. P. is now indisputable, 
and these biographical memoirs cannot 
be taken amiss. They are founded on 
facts, humorously mentioned in a diur- 
nal print, which thus announced the 
death of O. P. when it really took place. 



X PREFACE. 

<c Died O. P. aged sixty-six. 

" No man acted such a part 
on such a stage. In his infancy 
he was noisy, which was attributed 
to bad management. Although a 
good pugilist, he hated private boxes. 
He was author of many humorous 
pieces in prose and verse. Like Sir 
Roger Coverly, he gave name to a 
dance. His matrimonial connections 
were not considered as very happy, 
as he had frequently been reproached 
for his horns. He was, however, ac- 
counted a good Christian, as he had 
professed a great antipathy to the 
Jews. He was also a loyal cha- 
racter, as he sung every night 



PREFACE. Xi 

rr God save the King." Engaged in 
law-suits, he had of advocates the 
best. A pit was made for his body. — 
A barrister was the grave-digger.-— 
Kemble read the funeral service 
with great solemnity, and Bran- 
don and Harris were the Chief 
Mourners." 



Feb. 8, 1810. 

Ill, &IEAPS1DE. 



THE O. P. WAR- 



LETTER I. 

From Ap Simpkins to Ap Davies* 

SlNCE now the O. P. battle's o'er, 
And peace the partisans restore, 
To you, Ap Davies, my dear friend, 
A brief account of all I'll send, 
From the beginning to the end : 
But, lest your patience I should tire, 
And send you more than you'd desire, 
Lest I too many letters might 
On this theatric contest write, 
Which letters, as they'll go by post. 
Would in the end some shillings cost, 
On leading points I'll only dwell, 
And all that's entertaining tell. 

Where the old playhouse lately blazed, 
In Covent Garden, soon was raised 
Another playhouse, as intended, 
On which the managers expended 
B 



§ THE O. P. WAR. 

A sum indeed beyond all bounds, 

It was thrice fifty thousand pounds ! ! ! 

In ten month's time it was erected, 

And from th' exterior much expected. 

But though so very grand without, 

Within, 'tis very plain no doubt, 

'Twas on the eighteenth of September, 

(The day I very well remember) 

For which Macbeth was advertised ; 

A play so generally prized. 

Near to the doors what numbers push'd ! 

As soon as opened in they rush'd. 

At first the pit seem'd rather dull — 

By six o'clock the house was full ; 

And the first lady that appear'd, 

With loud huzzas by all was cheer'd. 

The band struck up God save the King y 

And several times the song they sing : 

Then Rule Britannia next they play'd, 

Which some to sing also essay'd. 

The band their music might have sav'd, 

While hats and handkerchiefs were wav'd. 

At length the curtain up they drew, 

And Kemble on the stage we view. 

To give us an address he came. 

To talk of "spark* from Greece" — the "Jlame" 



THE O. P. WAR. C 

Of u an illumined age" — €i the fire 

OF Shakspeare," which we must admire: 

But so vociferously they roar'd, 

I did not hear a single word. 

The play began, but at this time 

'Twas like the Circus pantomime, 

And gave as little satisfaction 

As Ellis ton's ballet of action. 

When Kemble entered as Macbeth, 

It was in vain he spent his breath, 

For not a word could reach the ear : 

E'en Mrs. Siddons I cou'dn't hear. 

With noise was Charles Kemble hail'd — 
The uproar every where prevail'd. 
"Off! off!" "Old prices!" were the cries ; 
" No Catalani!" and " No rise!" 
What hissing, yelling, howling, groaning ! 
What barking, braying, hooting, moaning ! 
The people bellow'd, shouted, storm'd, 
The actors in dumb show perform'd. 
Those in the pit stood up with rage, 
And turn'd their backs upon the stage. 
Yes, my dear friend, their backs they turn'd, 
And thus were the performers spurn'd. 
The tragedy thus tragediz'd, 
Brunton came forward, as surmis'd, 



4 THE O. P. WAR. 

T' announce for the next night the play ; 

But still they bark, and yell, and bray. 

I heard him not, and all could see, 

Was his lips move, then exit he* 

The Quaker was the farce, they say ; 

I thought it was the Devil to pay — 

In short, it went on like the play. 

I'm certain that the quaker quaked. 

Each head too with the tumult ach'd. 

About eleven, or before, 

The stage amusements all were o'er ; 

But not until the clock struck one 

Were those before the curtain done; 

The cry of u Managers !" went round; 

From all parts did the cry resound. 

The eager, the impetuous crowd, 

Then for old prices call'd aloud. 

In vain they call'd — they brandish'd sticks, 

The boards too trembled with their kicks ; 

When lo ! upon the stage, indeed, 

Two magistrates — yes, Nares and Read, 

Made their appearance — 'tis a fact — 

They came to read the Riot Act, 

But all these worthies wish'd to say 

Was treated like the farce and play — 

" No magistrates ! off ! off! away ! 



THE O. P. WAR. b 

Let Harris, if you please, appear, 

Or send John Philip Kemble here." 

They thought to make the gentry quiet, 

To prove that words were acts of riot : 

But 'twould not do— "Off! off! enough!" 

So exeunt Ambo in a huff. 

And now the galleries began : 

They curs'd the building and the plan. 

They thought the managers unkind — 

They were in pigeon-holes confiri'd. 

Pat cries — " I will be squeez'd to death ; 

I will be kilt for want of breath." 

Those in the upper boxes now 

Assisted in the general row y 

And, 'midst their fury and their heat, 

They happen'd to break down a seat. 

Impossible, in such a fray, 

But that some benches must give way; 

At this, however, much displeased, 

The Bow-street runners came and seized 

Two or three gentlemen — they swore — 

They dragg'd them out — their coats they tore. 

These men it seems, on this condition, 

Had to all parts a free admission. 

^Twas to the managers' disgrace. 

An officer, in such a place, 

Should, uninvited, show his face. 



O THE O. P. WAR. 

But to the rest — the bell was heard, 
And engines* on the stage appear'd. 
This gave the folk some discontent : 
They thought that Mr. Kemble meant 
To play upon them. This gave rise 
To further hisses, groans, and cries. 
Some in the pit now form'd a ring, 
They danc'd, and sung God save the King ; 
And while performing these wild feats, 
They play'd the devil with the seats. 
No matter — they evinc'd their spite, 
Then bade the managers good night; 
And I the same must bid ray friend — 
But take my word—on this depend — 
My pen I will resume again, - 
Till when your servant I remain. 

Strand, Jan. 1810. S. 



* The introduction of the water-engines on the stage 
was, it is asserted, through a mistake. Engines are kept 
in the theatre, and placed on the stage after the evening's 
performances, in case of danger, particularly as the fire* 
offices have refused to insure the house to the full amount. 
Mr. Kemble perceiving from his private box that the au- 
dience were not gone, ordered the bell to be rung for the 
stage lights to be replaced. This order was misunderstood 
by the prompter, and instead of the lights the engines 
were brought upon the stage. Certainly thev might have 
been designedly brought on to intimidate the malcon- 
tents, but without the manager's knowledge. 



THE O. T. WAIi. 7 

LETTER II. 

(in continuation) 

According to my word, my pen 
I take up, my dear friend^ again, 
And with my story shall proceed. 
Relating only truth indeed — 
It far surpasses all the tales 
Were ever told I think in Wales, 
And cannot fail to raise a laugh. 
When with your friends your ale you quaff 

On the succeeding Tuesday, they 
The Beggar's Opera strove to play ; 
But ah ! it was a vain essay. 
John BuH was now resolv'd to show 
He was a formidable foe. 
In dudgeon he the prices took, 
And imposition would not brook. 
In truth, the private boxes, sir, 
Did chiefly his chagrin incur, 
For, wou'd you think it ? — the third tier 
The managers had let per year ; 
And these had snug apartments got, 
To chat, to lounge in, and what not ? 
Cries John, in spite of the police, 
u I'll pay no seven. shilling piece, " 



8 THE O. P. WAR. 

Th' admission price they advertised, 

u When seats are thus monopolized." 

During the Beggar's Opera, all 

For the old prices loudly call : 

Like discontent too they evince 

During the farce — Is he a Prince ? 

And not a speech — no, not a song, 

In farce or opera, heard the throng. 

The actors spoke and sung in vain — 

Chaos, thought I, is come again ! 

While thus with noise the playhouse shook, 

Some of the fair their seats forsook. 

Tremendous scuffles then arose. 

Which pav'd the way for kicks and blows, 

That tended some to discompose. 

At last the discontented made 

A bold attempt the stage V invade. 

A band of constables appear'd, 

Who very rashly interfer'd ; 

They strove to drive th' invaders back, 

And thus repel the bold attack ; 

But they were hooted from the stage: 

They made their exit in a rage. 

'Twill be (such hopes this war affords) 

Their last appearance on the boards. 

Now all the trap doors were unbarr'd, 

The enemy's progress to retard. 



TKE O. P. WAR. 



9 



By this manoeuvre they appear 
T' have kept the stage at present clear. 
While thus all parties were engag'd, 
.And battle with each other wag'd, 
A gentleman, of serious mood, 
Up in the middle boxes stood. 
He their attention did beseech, 
And made to this effect a speech : — 
" A patient hearing I solicit — 
If you don't like my speech, then hiss it. 
A British subject I ! — as such, 
Would not have thought the price too much, 
Of either boxes or the pit, 
Had the proprietors thought fit 
Their case with candor to submit ; 
Had they come forward to explain 
An urgency for greater gain ; — 
To show us, by a statement fair, 
Th' old prices insufficient were, 
And begg'd we would not be unwilling 
To add a sixpence and a shilling,* 
Then I'd have cry'd — Well, be it so y 
And this would every one I know ; 
For most undoubtedly we find 
A British audience free and kind. 

* That is — 6d. more on the pit (4s. instead of 3s. 6d.) 
and Is. on the boxes (7s. instead of fo.) 

B 5 



10 THE O. P. WAR. 

We have, however, to bewail 

That managers in duty fail. 

They've made no statement — if they could, 

It is no more than what they should. 

Then by your conduct let them see 

Monopoly shall punish'd be. 

We will not sit with tame submission, 

And countenance gross imposition. 

We'll not accede to this taxation, 

But meet it with just indignation. 

If, to suppose, I had good reason. 

That the advance, throughout the season, 

On either boxes or the pit, 

Would be of general benefit, 

I should not then oppose the measure: 

No, gentlemen, 'twould give me pleasure. 

But well I know the prices new 

Would only benefit a few — 

A few, who now like nabobs live, 

As they large salaries receive — 

A few, who're rich enough, and who 

Have all their wealth deriv'd from you. 

The other actors, I maintain, 

Can no advantage from it gain. 

One more remark, then mute I'll be — 

That tier of private boxes see* — 

* Pointing to the private boxei. 



THE O. P. WAR. 11 

Then persevere — your sense now show, 

And let those vile impostors know, 

To such abuse you'll not agree, 

For that our theatres shall be 

Directed by the people's will — 

Yes, persevere, be urgent still, 

Else must this theatre, a second 

Italian Op'ra House, be reckon'd ; 

And even though assent we may 

A seven -shilling piece to pay, 

If boxes thus are yearly let. 

By and by no places we shall get, 

But be excluded — yes, shut out, 

And forc'd to go, without a doubt, 

Into the pit, like wretched flats. 

With our silk stockings and cocked hats. 

But persevere, and you, anon. 

Will doubtless triumph o'er Don John*" 

This speech met universal praise ; 
The house resounded with huzzas : 
And then u Old Prices" loud they bawl'd, 
When half a dozen out were haul'd, 
And to the watch-house quick conveyed, 
For having thus a tumult made. 
" Old Prices !" still " Old Prices " they 
Vociferated all the way. 



12 THE O. P. WAR. 

And thus, at twelve o'clock, I vow 

Concluded they the second row. 

At twelve — but mark, that long before 

The opera and farce were o'er — 

Yes, long before — don't think I mock — 

The curtain dropp'd 'bout nine o'clock. 

The people spent the other hours 

In a display of vocal pow'rs. 

All bellow'd, shouted, till their lungs 

No longer could befriend their tongues ; 

Till quite fatigu'd, they thought it best 

To leave the house and go to rest; 

Fatigu'd as I am now — 'tis true, 

So with your leave I'll bid 

Adieu. 



LETTER III. 

(in continuation) 

The third night of the contest came — 

The hurly burly was the same. 

Though Mr. Cooke King Richard play'd, 

None listen'd to a word was said. 

'T would not have matter'd much, I ween, 

Had he this night, as usual^ been — 



THE O. P. WAR. 13 

That is, had he been non se ipse. 

Or, in plain English, had been tipsy; 

He must have pass'd, there is no doubt. 

If able to walk in and out. 

Hostilities were now improv'd — 

John Bull was evidently mov'd 

To anger, and he spoke his scorn 

With trumpet, cat-call, bugle-horn. 

Carrier pigeons too had he, 

To carry to the stage O. P. 

Bills, called placards , too, did appear 

On many a cushion, chandalier, 

And in large letters thereon writ 

Some curious sentiments- — to wit : 

" No hired ruffians!" " O. P. for ever !'* 

" Submit to the new prices never I" 

u No imposition let there be;" 

u No private boxes — all be free !" 

The farce was the Poor Soldier — this 

Receiv'd many a loud groan and hiss. 

The music of it soon was drown'd 

In that of bugle-horns around : 

But when it drew near a conclusion, 

Amidst the noise and the confusion, 

Munden approached the angry crowd, 

And bow'd and scrap'd, and scrap'd and bow'd. 



14 THE O. P. WAR. 

They now cry " Silence! hear him ! hear !" 

Then Mr. Kemble did appear. 

Some time elaps'd, as guess you may. 

Ere he a single word could say : 

At length he spoke — and thanks he gave, 

That he to speak obtain'd their leave — 

Declar'd they all were anxious still 

To satisfy the public's will. 

Now shouts ensu'd of exultation. 

To signify their approbation. 

They tore the bills down, one by one, 

And loudly cry'd u Go on ! go on !" 

u Ladies and gentlemen, I vow 

I feel oblig'd to you that now 

This opportunity you grant, 

To know — what is it pray you want ?" 

They now begin to hoot, complain — 

It was all hell broke loose again. 

With indignation and fell rage 

They threw the papers on the stage. 

And u There ! read ! read !" they loudly cry'd^ 

iC Our wishes there are signified." 

These papers though, he did not read, 

But all in vain strove to proceed. 

Finding at last it would not do, 

He made his bow and then withdrew. 



THE O. P. WAR. 15 

The farce now over — silence reign'd — 

The people still their seats retain'd, 

Expecting overtures for peace, 

And hoping that the war might cease. 

They waited though till out of patience. 

And then commenced some grand orations. 

The person who before declaim'd 

Declar'd that he was much asham'd 

Of what last night had taken place, 

Which would a very gaol disgrace. 

A hireling of the house, he said, 

With fifty others to his aid, 

Enter'd the pit, against the law, 

Insulting every one he saw. 

The others — constables, no doubt, 

Assisted him to beat them out. 

After this cowardly attack, 

He to the pit again came back, 

Then wav'd his hat, a boasting made, 

And very impudently said 

That for five guineas he that night 

Would any in the boxes fight. 

This conduct vile, at which he glatic'd, 

By managers was countenanc'd. 

Several orders, he found out, 

The managers dispers'd about 3 



16 THE O. P. WAR, 

And by these means did they provide 

Numerous friends upon their side. 

" Nay," added he, " John Bull's abused* 

For cash they've at the doors refused ; 

Yet at the same time have thought fit 

These paper orders to admit. 

They say — but can it be believ'd ? 

They say that they have not receiv'd 

For all the money they have spent 

These last ten years e'en sine per cent. 

Would Kemble then, if such things were, 

Have given so much pray for his share ? 

The private boxes fill their purse ; 

The rent of these will reimburse 

All their expenditures— will pay 

For Catalan! if she play. 

But, gentlemen, now show your spirit, 

Be advocates for native merit; 

Nor let, in this enlighten'd age, 

Italians tread an English stage." 

With shouts did this oration close, 
And then a barrister* arose. 
To call the manager he mov'd, 
Which measure highly was approv'd : 



* J. P. Smith, Esq. 



THE O. P. WAR. i7 

And now for Kemble called the crow'd — 

He came not — five minutes they allow'd; 

When ten elaps'd, he came and bow'd. 

11 Ladies and gentlemen," said he, 

" Your will I wait respectfully." 

A thousand tongues together join'd, 

For all, it seems, w T ere of one mind. 

He that first open'd the debate, 

At length their grievances did state : 

And now his speech was so concise, as 

Two words, videlicet — " Old Prices." 

Then Mr. Kemble mention'd how 

Exorbitant the things were now; 

They were not only very dear, 

But still encreasing every year. 

Materials, he declared, cost less 

In the cheap days of good Queen Bess; 

Yet people then they did'nt admit 

Under three shillings* to the pit. 

It had been stated in this place, 

Which, he observ'd, was not the case, 



* This is still the price of admission to the pit of the 
little theatre in the tiaymarket; and the boxes are, as 
formerly, five shillings. Certainly the proprietors of that 
theatre must feel the severity of the times as well as 
other managers, particularly as they lose one-third of 
their season by the protracted performances of the winter 
theatres. 



18 THE O. P. WAR. 

Their annual profits were immense, 

And adequate to each expence. 

" I pledge my honor, sirs, and I 

Would never pledge it in a lie 

For all this theatre is worth — " 

This very great applause drew forth. 

" We've not, these last ten years, as I know, 

Got six per cent, for all our rhino. 

Good dresses, scenery to boast, 

Are sources of enormous cost. 

The gentleman who spoke last night, 

Declared, if I did hear him right, 

If to suppose he had good reason, 

That the advance throughout the season, 

On either boxes or the pit. 

Would be of general benefit,* 

He'd not oppose the measure : then 

On him, and you too, gentlemen, 

I call for your support. Behind, 

Our best performers are, you'll find ; 

They'll testify, the prices new. 

Will be to them new prices too.'' 

Disapprobation now was shown, 
By many a hiss and many a groan. 
The learned gentleman replied, 
And Kemble's statement he denied : 



THE O. 



WAR. 19 



The prices new would not, he said, 

Add five pounds to the sal'rics paid. 

The actors would, he understood, 

From them derive more harm than good : 

Th' house-charges would be rais'd of course. 

And benefits be therefore worse. 

" Then persevere, do not refrain, 

To-morrow let us meet again. 

Yes, persevere my boys ! — that's right ! 

And for (he present bid good-night." 

LETTER IV. 

(in continuation) 

Love in a Village they next play'd, 
But nought heard that was sung or said. 
Thus also fared the farce — Who Wins? 
This name occasioned some broad grins. 
John Bull resolv'd that he would win, 
So rattles, cat-calls, horns begin ! 
The managers encreas'd the riot, 
In hopes to make the people quiet: 
They published from Lord Mansfield's speech 
On Macklin's case, some extracts, which 
They thought wou'd frighten all the folk. 
But which did greater rage provoke. 



20 THE O. P. WAR. 

Thus they held out, that every fellow, 
Who dared to hiss, to groan, or bellow, 
Was Rioting: which crime would draw 
The heavy vengeance of the law : — 
Moreover — those who did assist 
Any who bellow'd, groan'd, or hiss'd, 
Were all Conspirators ; — as such 
They would be punish'd very much. 
John Bull at this new doctrine stared — 
w Our rights are gone then," he declar'd 

<; Our liberty " but then he smil'd — 

He was'nt by craft to be beguiPd. 

The present case was not, in law ? 

The same as Macklin's he foresaw; 

And therefore felt not the least dread, 

Though magistrates were ev'n misled ; 

Nay, those who better shou'd have known, 

To this opinion too were prone. 

Who, therefore, damn'd a bad new play, 

Had bred a riot they might say ; 

And those by whom 'twas not admir'd ? 

Against the poet had conspired; 

But did'nt the great Lord Mansfield say 

All might express the usual way — 

Their censure or their approbation ? 

Take this into consideration ; 



THE O. P. WAR. 21 

Then ask what is the usual way ? 
I know the critics of the day, 
Will thus reply — to hiss, to clap ; 
Nay, more — to groan, to shout perhap. 

John Bull was now prepar'd for battle, 
With whistle, trumpet, drum, and rattle. 
If this was breeding any riot, 
A jury, he resolv'd, shou'd try it. 
Now speakers argued at great length, 
Then of their lungs they tried the strength : 
With bugle-horns the play-house rung — 
God save the King was loudly sung. 
Placards succeeded these fine speeches — 
c< Be silent, sirs. King John's head aitches." 
u No foreigners — no Catalani, 
Dickons is better far than any." 
Again the orators debated, 
And Kemble's conduct deprecated ; 
Who had, one of the speaker's stated, 
The beef-stake club a room denied, 
With which they'd always been supplied. 
Another gentleman alluded 
To the engagement they'd concluded 
With Catalani— " Sure," said he, 
" Most entertaining it must be, 
Great Kemble with a rod to see — 



22 THE O. P. WAR. 

Teaching that lady every week, 

The English language how to speak." 

More said he, which was said before. 

And doubtless would have added more : 

But Kemble suddenly appeared, 

Who now with thund'ring shouts was cheer'd. 

He found, he said, with consternation, 

His statement met disapprobation ; 

But as thereto he still referr'd — 

The noise began — he was not heard : 

So great commotion when he saw, 

He thought it prudent to withdraw. 

I now beheld, upon their legs, 

A thousand members : one man begs 

An audience — managers accused 

Of falsehood, and their schemes abus'd. 

" They think," said he, " John Bull to awe, 

By means of constables and law ; 

By Bow-street officers, and those 

Brave Hebrews who delight in blows ; 

By fighting watermen and boors — 

By water-engines and trap-doors." 

Another speaker — of the navy, 

Wish'd managers were at Old Davy : 

He lik'd a play, and lik'd to bring 

His family to see such thing; 



THE O. P. WAR. S3 

So could not give his countenance 

To the d — d rascally advance. 

He hoped, if stubborn still they were, 

And that the scheme was brought to bear, 

His Majesty his pay would raise, 

T' enable him to visit plays. 

And now to loggerheads they went. 

Each constable and mal-content; 

Like harlequins they skip about, 

Now out and in, now in and out. 

One member, while he boldly rail'd - 

At the monopoly prevail'd ; — 

While he observ'd, that the high price 

Of things, did justly not suffice 

For managers a rise to claim, 

As others then might do the same — 

While half an hour he thus declaim'd, 

And the great Kemble vagrant nam'd. 

One who the managers defended, 

And in their favor had contended, 

Was from the boxes quickly thrown 

Into the pit — which hurt his crown. 

Some in the house were a disgrace, 
I must acknowledge, to the place : 
No wonder — orders gave they round 
To all the vilest cou'd be found. 



24 THE O. P. WAR. 

The actors, victory to win, 

Were likewise constables sworn in : 

The guards, too, who the doors defended 

With their iix'd bayonets, pretended 

That after nine none had a right 

T' approach the playhouse doors that night. 

Now of God save the King a verse 
Was sung — the signal to disperse : 
This test of loyalty thus given, 
The house was clear'd about eleven- 



n 



THE O. T. WAR. 25 

LETTER V. 

(in continuation) 

John Bull was what they gare us next, 
With which John Bull was doubly rcx'd ; 
For though this piece is highly prais'd, 
Yet now it evidently rais'd 
A civil war, of discord full — 
It was John Bull against John Bull. 
The farce, the Quaker, which you know 
Was play'd the first night in dumb show, 
And was to-night exactly so. 
Now Rule Britannia loud they sing, 
With Hearts of Oak — God save the King ; 
While instruments are heard all round, 
Some too of high and mighty sound, 
To carry on this martial strife — 
Especially an octave fife, 
Whose very loud ear-piercing notes 
Drown'd all the music of their throats. 
In act the second Kemble came : 
T' address the people was his aim ; 
But such the noise when he appear'd, 
It was some time ere he was heard. 
C 



26 THE O. ?. WAR, 

As soon as did the tumult cease, 

Ttars spoke th' ambassador for peace :— 

^ I've a proposal to submit," 

Addressing boxes and the pit, 

u And trust, if time you will afford. 

Tranquillity may be restor'd." 

Now general applause ensu'd, 

And thus the speaker did conclude:— 

cc To gentlemen of character 

All our accounts we shall refer ; 

Yes, a committee shall decide 

The points in question." Now they cry'd, 

" No! no!" " I'll not be sure deny'd 

Impartial justice. Men of rank 

We'll choose— the Governor of the Bank ; 

Th> Attorney General too, suppose," 

But still they answered him with noes. 

He could not say what he desired, 

And to the stage door oft retired ; 

At length six persons* did he mention, 

Who should decide this great contention ; 

But still they were not satisfied 

By their opinion to abide ; 

* The Governor of the Bank of England, the Attorney 
General, the Solicitor General, or the Accountant Gene- 
ral of the Court of Chancery, Sir Francis Baring, and 
Mr. Angerstein. 



M 



THE O. P. WAR. 27 

And Kemble, having talked in vain, 

Withdrew, and tumult reign'd again. 

Now with your leave, my friend, I'll take 

This opportunity to make 

Some trite remarks. — Ten years ago 

Eight actors* — see their names below, 

And the proprietors fell out. 

No matter now what 'twas about ; 

But to this war a termination 

At last was put by arbitration : 

Who then as umpire was decreed ? 

Sir F s B g ? No, indeed. 

Was't the Attorney Gen'rul ? No. 
The Governor of the Bank ? Not so. 
In short, my friend, 'twas only one 
That in this case was call'd upon — 
The ground of difference was referr'd 
To the Lord Chamberlain ; he heard 
The arguments of those contended, 
And the proprietors befriended. 
He then was judge, and why not now ? 
The fittest person you'll allow. 
Whose duty 'tis all plays V inspect, 
And what he likes not, to reject. 



* Messrs. Holman, Johnstone, Fawceit, Pope, Knight, 
H. Johnston, Munden, and Incledon. See Thespitn 
Dictionary, Dramatic Mirror, &c. &c. 



28 THE O. F. WAR. 

Why in the name of wonder then, 
Refer this case to gentlemen 
Who had no right to interfere ? 
It did not come within their sphere- 
Though gentlemen of high renown, 
Were they to dictate to the town ? 
Though men of talents — yet, I pray, 
What of a theatre knew they ? 
Why did'n't the managers again 
Apply to the Lord Chamberlain ? 
I think the reason's very plain — 
His lordship was averse, they knew, 
To the grand scheme they had in view. 

With warmth the contest they maintain'd ; 
Some damage too the house sustain'd ; 
The coverings of the seats were torn, 
And on the doors they spit their scorn. 
The scrolls hung up were repetitions 
Of late placards, with some additions : 
Of novel ones there were a few ; 
To wit — " Wou'd there be prices new 
If Drury was not burnt ?" u Old Prices ! 
No relaxation, our advice is." 
u Let them perform to empty benches, 
'Twill managers bring to their senses." 
u Support us, lads — we'll support you." 
u No Kembies, and no prices new." 



the o. p. vrxn. S9 

<c No compromise — come to the point — 

Old prices is the thing we want.'" 

U Are not the managers, indeed, 

The men who this disturbance breed ? 

They're authors of this discontent. 

And ought to Bow-street to be sent." 

" It is John Bull against John Kemble." [ble." 

" Down with King John — we'll make him trem- 

li No foreigners, but native worth." 

u Let no Italians be brought forth." 

u Let- managers henceforward see, 

Th' voice of the public shall be free, 

In spite of all their obstin'cy." 

u John Bull is acting well we know ; 

Pit as before ! — it must be so." 

** Th' admission prices must decrease. 

Or else we'll never make a peace." 

M Angels and ministers of grace 

Defend us from monopoly !" 

" The house that Jack built— Ha! ha! he!" 

There also were some droll devices, 
Respecting Kemble and old prices. 
A cure for ditches was exhibited, 
By Mr. Kemble's figure gibbetted. 
Then in another, as 'tis said, 
Kemble and Harris were pourtray'd — 



SO THE O. P. WAR. 

Macbeth the former, and the latter 
Poor Banquo weighing well the matter : 
Macbeth then, starting with surprise, 
u Thou catfst not say I did itf* cries ; 
Whereupon Banquo makes reply — 
u A lie! upon my soul a lie!" 
Though bittfer these ideas, yet 
Their bitterness we'll soon forget, 
They were the offspring of mere ire, 
And in oblivion must expire, 

A dance diverted now the throng, 
This the finale 'stead of song — 
Believe me, sir, they danc'd all round, 
And beat O. P. upon the ground; 
And hence the O. P. dance arose, 
Which they to music did compose : 
You might have seen it, for, I'm told, 
Ai every music shop 'tis sold : 
Thus for an hour they persever'd, 
And nothing but O. P. was heard. 
While from the trampled benches broke 
A cloud of dust as thick as smoke ; 
This done, they bade to all adieu 
Before eleven, as I bid you. 



THE O. P. WAR. 

LETTER VI. 

(in continuation) 

On the sixth night attempted they 
The Woodman, a poor harmless play : 
The farce (for to have one they must) 
Raising the Wind — but, to speak just, 
It was to night raising the dust. 
The managers now deem'd it right 
To send no orders in this night — 
For thus the house they fill'd before, 
Which tended not to stop th' uproar ; 
Perhaps their orders came to those 
Who, bona fide, were their foes — 
For many of th' orderly folk 
Help'd the disorder to provoke : 
Whatever the cause, they now thought fit, 
The cash, not paper, to admit. 
But discord reign'd — without a joke 
The instruments this variance spoke : — 
Discords there were of every kind, 
With marrow-bones and clevers join'd. 
To add to the terrific yell, 
They even add a dustman's bell — 
No noise this noise cou'd parallel. 



32 THE O. P. WAR. 

The day before, you'd think it strange , 
But search you might Exeter Change ; 
Nay, every toy-shop might you try 
Both far and near, ere you cou'd buy 
(The very newspapers did this tell) 
A penny trumpet or child's whistle. 
During this dreadful hurricane 
The actors spoke and sung in vain ; 
For such was now the people's rage, 
They pelted them when on the stage : 
Placards were placed before their eyes, 
Of every kind, of every size ; 
Seme from the boxes did appear, 
And covered the whole second tier ; 
While others, specimens of wit, 
Were thrown about, and fill'd the pit : 
I shall select a few of these, 
As they, my friend, will doubtless please: — 

" Cease, Kemble, your unjust pretence, 
And show, at least, you've common sense ; 
Your pride on folly clearly borders. 
Witness the tools that have your orders." 
tc Seventeen thousand a-year goes pat. 
To Kemble, his sister, and Madame Cat." 

li John Kemble be damn'd, 

We will not be cramm'd." 



THE O. P. WAR. 33 

u John Kemble alone is the cause of this riot — 
When he lowers his prices John Bull will be 
quiet." 

" 'Tis no use to dissemble, 

Squire John Philip Kemble." 
" John Bull, John Bull, O! brave John Bull, 
Of resolution still be full; 
Fear not to show disapprobation 
But firmly keep your proper station, 
For none of Kemble born shall gull the British 
nation.*" 

u Mountain and Dickons! 

No Cat or kittens." 
u Fair prices! — monopoly provokes." 
" The public are arbitrators — no hoax." 

" John Bull's opposition 

Is against imposition." 
There were some hundreds too in prose. 
But I must overlook all those. 
To please my friend, I, at this time. 
Think proper to adhere to rhyme. 
Some of the prose ones were so, so, 
But others very good, I know. 



* This was very properly rendered an Alexandrine 
line, as it is more expressive of the mt^nitude of the re- 
sol ation. 

c 5 



34 THE O. P. WAR. 

By all our wags it is confest 
The House that Jack built was the best ; 
But to dissect this, would of course. 
Diminish both its wit and force ; 
Then underneath, by way of note. 
The whole, verbatim^ I shall quote.* 

* THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT. 

w This is the house that Jack built. 

u These are the boxes, let to the great that visit the 
house that Jack built. 

" These, are the pigeon-holes over the boxes, let to the 
great that visit the house that Jack built. 

M This is the Cat, engaged to squall to the poor in 
the pigeon-holes over the boxes, let to the great thai 
visit the house that Jack built. 

" This is John Bull with a bugle-horn, who hissed 
the Cat engaged to squall to the poor in the pigeon- 
holes over the boxes, let to the great that visit the house 
that Jack built. 

4< This is the thief-taker, shaven and shorn, that took up 
John Bull with his bugle-horn, who hissed the Cat 
engaged to squall to the poor in the pigeon-holes over 
the boxes, let to the great that visit the house that Jack 
built. 

** This is the manager, full of scorn, who raised the 
&T}tes to the people forlorn, and directed the thief-taker, 



THE O. P. WAR. 35 

Long before nine o'clock, my friend, 
The play and farce were at an end ; 
It was'nt, however, John Bull's desire 
So very early to retire: 
Therefore the orators began — 
The first — an Irish gentleman ; 
Who such a botheration made, 
I cannot tell you what he said; 
Nor does it signify, indeed, 
For what he said you wou'd not read. 
This dreadful tumult, it appears, 
Had quickly reached Lord Dartmouth's ears; 
Who fearing this disquietude 
In a rebellion might conclude, 
Sent word, that if they did'n't make peace 
With Johnny Bull, the plays must cease; 
So Kemble enter'd, much distress'd, 
And thus the audience he address'd: — 
" Ladies and gentlemen, 'tis said, 
(And therefore I your anger dread) 
That to insult has been my aim, 
For which indeed I'd be to blame ; 



shaven and shorn y to take up John Bull with his 
buglc-hom, who hissed the Cat engaged to squall to the 
poor in the pigeon-holes over the boxes, let to the great 
that visit the house that Jack built. Bow Wow V* 



36 THE O. P. WAR, 

Can I deserve this imputation. 

When I hare, for your approbation, 

These five and twenty years toil'd hard, 

T' assure you of my high regard ?" 

Now murmurs rose among the crowd — 

Come to the point, they cried aloud. 

u I beg you'll hear what I've to say — 

All our accounts we mean to lay 

'Fore a committee." — " Who are they?" 

They call aloud. " Men of renown — 

Impartial judges for the town." 

No Catalani, now they cry. 

" To that I'll presently reply — 

Sirs, Mr. Harris did conceive 

'Twou'd general satisfaction give, 

Italian airs being the rage, 

This lady for our boards t' engage; 

Yes, gentlemen, his zeal was such, 

That for your sakes he ventur'd much ; 

But finding that the plan intended 

Instead of pleasing had offended, 

Th' affair has seriously been weigh'd 5 

And by all parties 'tis agreed 

That, though the articles were sign'd, 

>Tis better they shou'd be declin'd." 

This part of the address produc'd 
Applause — the rest was goos'd. 



THE O. P. WAR. 37 

The tumult did again prevail — 
Many were seized and held to bail. 
For want of which some went to jail : 
At length the company withdrew, 
And bade the managers adieu 
For a whole week and days a few : 
So if we rightly weigh the case, 
It was an armistice took place. 

And now did our young poets seem 
Delighted with the present theme — 
To celebrate this week's contention 
They exercis'd all their invention ; 
And many an ode and pasquinade 
The daily newspapers display'd ; 
But that which greatest credit gain'd, 
The Morning Chronicle contained — 
A song, call'd the New Chevy Chace, 
Which here, I think, deserves a place. 



God prosper long our noble King, 

Our cash and comforts all, 
In Covent-Garden, while 1 sing, 

The row that did befal. 

To chase the Cat with h«wl and horn 
John Bull went to the play ; 

And though she laughed him to scorn, 
I trow he won the day. 



THE O. P. WAR. 

The Kembles, Harris, Son, and Co* 

Did vow to God — God willing — 
That for Grimalkin and their show 

They'd touch — the other shilling / 

For they a theatre bad made, 

This famous Cat to squall in ; 
With u Annual Boxes" for the trade 

No doubt of caterwalling ; 

John's native Drama to undo, 

With foreign airs and vices — 
And so they e'en impos'd their New, 

And banish'd his " Old Prices." 

Their bowmenbold from Bow-street^rought, 

All chosen men of might — 
Resolv'd to stuff down Johnny's throat, 

Their prices — wrong or right. 

But John, whose skull with brains is cramm'd r 

Their schemes did soon unriddle, 
44 And if I have, may I be damn'd, 

(Quoth he) your Cat and Fiddle ! 

44 What \ think you me to tax and gull, 

44 For building this here house ! 
44 Or thinks a Cat to catch John Bull— 

44 Just as she'd catch a mouse ? 

44 Your modesty, upon my soul, 

" Much with the ton increases, 
44 That fain wou'd cram each pigeon-hoU 

44 With seven-shilling pieces I 



THE O. P. WAR. S9 

" No, no— it will not do, Black Jack, 

" It shall not do, by jingo ; 
11 Old plays and prices we'll have back, 

11 And no outlandish lingo !" 

The orchestra struck up in vain, 

Macbeth and wife were hiss'd ! 
And " Birnham Wood to Dunsinane" 

Unnotic'd pass'd, I wist. 

For " banners on the outward wall" 

The tyrant had no use — 
Their scrolls within so thick did fall, 

Though ne'er a flag of truce ! 

On Monday first the row begun, 

Or call it what yon may, 
? Tis certain they kept up the fun 

Until the Saturday. 

The actors ran through every scene, 

As fast as they cou'd go — 
As it a pantomime had been, 

Or eke, a puppet show. 

And though the people that were there 

Most loud did roar and rage, 
Their backsides all, with special care, 

Were turn'd upon the stage. 

O Christ ! it was a grief to see, 

For word you could not hear — 
(Except the speech of Mister Leagh} 

A tragedy so queer. 



40 THE O. P. WAE, 

To cat gut y cat-call did reply, 

With bell and bugle brazen ! 
And all the gods, that sat on high, 

Help'd out the diapason. 

Yet bides Jack Kemble on the bent, 

A Don of thorough blood ; 
With aitclies though his head was rent, 

Firm as a mule he stood. 

" Show me," said he, " what 'tis you want? 

" What want ye here?" he cried — 
" We neither want your Cat or cant" 

Our Englishman replied. 

" Our notes, for her's you shan't command ; 

" And for her pipe, perdie, 
" We trust we have within the land 

** Five hundred good as she /" 

With that there came a glorious roar, 

Of rattles and of row-sticks ; 
As such there never did before, 

Confound the catacousticks ! 

_ Then look'd our manager, I trow, 
Like one in doleful dumps ; 
His pride was humbled to a bow, 
Almost upon his stumps. 

As thus he said — " At length I yield, 
" You've got what you have wish'd ; 

" You've won, John Bull, you've won the field, 
* And so— the Cat is dish'd /" 



THE O. P. WAR. 41 

God save the King, and bleis the land, 

Our liberties and laws, 
And thus may Britons ever stand, 

United in their cause. 



I'll not intrude now on your patience. 
With any trivial observations, 
For since to arms there is a truce, 
Of further writing where's the use ? 
No — observations I had better 
Keep in reserve for my next letter, 
As a great deal I'll have to tell, 
'Till when, 

My dearest friend, 

FareweL 



LETTER VII. 

(in continuation) 

Some days expiring — about ten — 
The theatre of war was then 



42 THE O, F. WAR. 

Thrown open, and John Bull incensed) 

Hostilities again comnienc'd— 

The managers had advertised 

That their accounts had been revis'd 

By a committee, who saw plain. 

They cou'd not have sufficient gain 

If the old prices did remain. 

And now to authorise their claim, 

Each o' th' committee sign'd his name 

To this preposterous report, 

Of which the public made rare sport. 

Five gentlemen form'd this committee, 

Viz. the Recorder of the City,* 

His Majesty's Solicitor, + 

The Bank of England's Governor, J 

'Squire Angerstein and Sir Charles Price ; 

And this they 'magined would suffice. 

Ere this though, Messrs. Hughes and Tull, 

In hopes to sileuce Mr. Bull, 

A solemn affidavit made, 

That the accounts were, which they'd laid 

'Fore the committee — Qi faithful, true, 

And perfect." All this would not do. 



* John Sylvester, Esq. 
+ Sir Thomas Plomer. 
J John Whitmore, Esq. 



" 



THE O. P. WAR. 43 

Again, the managers in vain 
The public strove to entertain — 
And now they play'd (October four) 
The Beggar's Opera, midst a roar. 
In vain did Mr. Jvomblu try 
The angry folk to pacify — 
They were not now inclin'd V espouse 
His courteous action — graceful bows- 
Most hideous jarring sounds ensued. 
And orange-peels the stage bestrew'd. 
The op'ra ended thus unheeded. 
And then a boxing match succeeded. 
The farce, Is he a Prince? too shar'd 
An equal fate — it was not heard. 
A few placards now struck the sight, 
" The comedy John Bull, to-night; 
Dancing and tumbling by the troop, 
And then the farce of Who's the Dupe ?" 

u He that is greedy after gain, 
Disturbeth his ozsrn house 'tis plain." 
" Fie ! managers — why thus dissemble ?" 
" The case — John Bull versus John Kcmble, 
Having been left to arbitration, 
By which, to plaintiffs great vexation, 
A verdict the defendant won — 
The plaintiff, griev'd by what is done, 



44 THE O. P. WAR. 

Resolves thereby not to abide. 
But moves that it be set aside." 

" No private boxes for intrigues; 
Remove those nuisances — those plagues." 

At ten the play and farce were finish'd, 
The noise in some degree diminish'd. 
Kemble was call'd — he came — he bow'd : 
u Ladies and gentlemen/' — (Speak loud) 
c.« We've laid all our accounts before 
Five worthy gentlemen" — (No more ! 
Yes — hear him ! hear him out ! — fair play ; 
Attend to what he has to say). 
€i From these our papers it appears 
We have been losers for ten years — 
Cou'd we avoid the prices new, 
'Twou'd be our pleasure so to do. 
It is necessity. ..." (Vile stuff 1 
9 Twill never do— Off ! Off! enough!) 
As arguments he found were vain, 
He bow'd and took his leave again. 

A speech some gentleman then spoke, 
Which did not much applause provoke. 
The galleries seem'd highly treated 
With all the noise — the pit they greeted 
With loud huzzas — all, all, I vow, 
Their lungs exerted in the row. 



THE O. P. WAR. 45 

The private boxes were abused — 
Those in them of intrigues accus'd, 
And every shameful language us'd. 
On them the pittites freely vented 
Their indignation — then, contented, 
They all broke up — they disappeared, 
And 'bout elev'n the house was clear'd. 

The time now of consideration, 
Employed in this investigation, 
Was, I am told (but pray don't laugh), 
That of a whole day and a half. 
One of the newspapers though says, 
It occupied full three whole days. 
If three whole weeks ere the report, 
That time I should have thought was short. 

The managers now judg'd it right 
To play but ev'ry second night ; 
Thus the Lyceum had a chance — 
The prices here had no advance. 
And here the people came to view 
Of Drury-Lane the residue. 
Yes, residue — the best were gone, 
No Bannister ! no Elliston ! 
Their places now, alas ! were fill'd 
By poor performers — men unskill'd; 
But quiet gentlefolk, you know. 
To Covent-Garden would not go. 



46 THE O. P. WAR. 

They shunn'd a theatre of strife, 
For who that's wise would risque his life? 
So went to see—there was no danger — 
A wretched piece, or Melvin's Ranger. 

And now they for October six 
John Bull and the Poor Soldier fix. 
The managers, by hand-bills, strove 
The town's objections to remove. 
They advertis'd that the interior 
Of the new house w r as far superior 
Unto the old, or Drury-lane— 
More room cou'd visitors obtain 
Now in the boxes—in the pit 
They more coxnmodiously cou'd sit— — 
The galleries, they made appear, 
Were now by sev'ral feet more near— 
The stage— ergo— to see and hear 
They cou'd much better; though they tell, 
They cannot see and hear so well! 
John Bull these declarations read,. 
But smil'd thereat and shook his head. 
That they were true he'd not allow, 
And so kick'd up another row. 
*Twas an occasional uproar, 
And not so furious as before. 



THE O. P. WAR. 47 

During the play I heard some words, 

But no whole sentence from the boards.* 

The pit display'd a curious sight, 

For 'bout three hundred Jews that night 

Had kept possession of the rows~ 

All warriors, who, by their blows, 

Give a black eye or bloody nose. 

But though these men take great delight in 

Knocking down, cuffing, sparring, lighting, 

The Christians on the Public's side 

Mendoztfs scholars now defy'd. 

Before on benches they ne'er fought, 

So all their skill availed nought. 

The victory was still John Bull's, 

Who broke some ribs and crack'd some skulls. 

After some further skill displaying, 

Some groaning, shouting, and huzzaing — 

Some speechifying — some placards, 

(Containing threats more than rewards) 

Some gross abuse (not to be nam'd) 

Against the private boxes aim'd — 

They rose up, and, the signal given, 

All left the playhouse at eleven. 

The Israelites were sorely griev'd, 

They such a beating had recciv'd — 

* i. c. the stage, 



48 THE O. P. WAR. 

From Christian dogs too — there's the curse — 
It made the beating ten times worse. 
And now they vow'd, th' ensuing week, 
That ample vengeance they wou'd seek : 
But what the Hebrew tribe befel 
My next shall show — till when 

Farewell 



LETTER VIIL 

(in continuation) 

The managers now thought they might 

As well keep open every night, 

'Twas policy — for now, thought they, 

The mal-contents will soon give way. 

The war cannot be long maintain'd: 

Their pockets will be shortly drain'd. 

These were their hopes — they were mistaken- 

Their courage was not to be shaken : 

But they resolv'd they would not meet 

Until a little after eight. 

Hostilities, by this advice, 

Were oft delay'd till the half price. 

King Richard on the ninth was play'd — 

A moderate noise at first was made : 



■ 



THE.O. P. WAR. 49 

But three acts o'er, it fiercer grew— 
At length a very tempest blew. 
The farce in title, well agreed — 
Raising the Wind — 'twas rais'd indeed ! 
The Jews assembled in the pit — 
Together in a ring they sit. 
The best of seats they occupied — 
With orders they had been supplied ; 
For the box-keeper, as they say, 
Those free admissions gave away. 
He issued orders 'gainst John Bull — 
Mendoza had a pocket full. 
These sons of Israel were sent, 
The show of libels to prevent — 
Their pugilistic skill employ, 
And infamous placards destroy- 
But were unequal to the foe, 
Who without mercy press'd them so, 
Not one of them could aim a blow — 
And while the Hebrews thus were squeez'd, 
The Christians did whate'er they pleas'd — 
Bestow'd upon them knocks and kicks, 
And made them also feel their sticks* 
It seems a hero of the Jist 
The Christian party did assist — 
B 



50 THE O. P. WAR. 

A man of very great renown , 
Whose title is — Jemmy from Town : 
A beaver white adorn' d his head. 
Which universal terror spread — 
And wheresoe'er the battle raged. 
The valiant Jemmy was engaged — 
And npw placards in spite were show*. 
To tell the pleasure of the town. 

u The partial edict of a few 
Will for the public never do." 
" An English audience has, I ween, 
A right to see and to be seen." 
H The stage's law the stage's patrons give, 
And those who live to please, must please to 
live." 

u Let's persevere — the cause we'll get — " 
€l Here private boxes are to let — 
Where to intrigue you may assemble— 

For sake of Messrs. H — , K . 

Of this assured though you may be. 
There's no connection with the key." 
The figure of a key made good 
The word — by which was understood 
A house in Chandos- street, well known, 
Which had been lately burnt down. 



THE O. T. WAR. 51 

One of these hung awhile suspended^ 
And nobly was with clubs defended. 
Th' assailants now receiv'd hard knocks, 
Who tried to take it from the box. 
But 'midst the scuffle it was torn, 
And fragments off in triumph borne. 
The worthy catchpoles lent their aid, 
And half a dozen prisoners made. 
Away they dragg'd them to Bow-street, 
The sitting magistrates to meet, 
Where, without bail, was no retreat. 
And now a gentleman thought fit 
To cut a figure in the pit. 
Having stood up-— he groan'd — he hiss'd, 
And 'gainst the Hebrews shook his fist — 
Bis friends around he then address'd 
In language not the very best : — 
€i To Bow-street I expect, bye and bye. 
To go — but not a pin care I — 
No— here's my bail — who cares, my boys? — 
Let them be d — d, we'll make a noise." 
These words afforded great delight, 
And still he groan'd with all his might. 
As printed bills about were thrown, 
He stoop'd, and having pick'd up one, 
Which was a parody upon 



52 THE O. P. WAR. 

God save the King — this gentleman 
To sing it loudly thus began : — 

66 God save great Johnny Bull, 
JLong live our noble Bull, 

God save John Bull — 
Make him uproarious 
With lungs like Boreas, 
Till he's victorious, 

God save John Bull. 

ci O Johnny Bull be true, 
Oppose the prices new. 

And make them fall ; 
Curse Kemble's politics, 
Frustrate his knavish tricks, 
On thee our hopes we fix, 

Confound them all ! 

iC No private boxes let 
Intriguing ladies get — 

Thy right John Bull ; 
From little pigeon-holes 
Defend us jolly souls. 
And we will sing by goles, 

God save John Bull !" 






1\ 



THE 0. P. WAR. 

Indeed, this little piece of wit 

Was highly relish'd by the pit. — 

Nay, all the house — I understand, 

The singing of the song was plann'd : 

Be that, however, as it may, 

They then rose up to go away ; 

And three loud cheers now being given* 

They left the house about eleven. 

Fart of the Woodman now I saw here* 

October ten — the Village Lawyer 

Was 'mid confusion, represented — 

All hearing then the noise prevented ; 

For not till the half price were in 

Did the hostilities begin. 

At first, indeed, each word was heard, 

And every actor loudly checr'd. 

Some of the songs too were encorM, 

Soon after though they hiss'd and roar'd — 

But till the mal-contents came in, 

Tho house indeed was very thin. 

The Jews now added to th' uproar; 

They were admitted as before. 

This vex'd John Bull — he rais'd a shout 

Of turn the Jighting Hebrews out ! 

On the placards too now they wrote, 

" John Bull the fighting Hebrews smote." 



54 THE O. P. WAR. 

The tribe could not conceal their spleen— 

They tore the bills with great chagrin ; 

And Andrews now dispers'd about 

A hand-bill,* stating — a Without doubt, - 

The Jews had orders Jor the pit. 

Which could be prov'd, if 'twas deem'd fit." 

He by the constables was maul'd, 

To Bow-street in an instant haul'd ; 

The sitting magistrate to face, 

Where Mr. Brandon took his place, 

And swore that all the words, he knew, 

In the said hand-bill were not true. 

A good defence the prisoner made — 

Delivering hand-bills was his trade. 

* The following is a correct copy of this hand-bill : 
« MENDOZA and KEMBLE. 

** It is a notorious fact that the managers of Covent 
Garden Theatre have both yesterday and to-day furnished 
Daniel Mendoza, the fighting Jew, with a prodigious 
number of Pit Orders for Co vent-Garden Theatie, 
which he has distributed to Dutch Sam, and such other 
of the pugilistic tribe as would attend, and engage to as- 
sault every person who had the courage to express their 
disapprobation of the managers' attempt to ram down the 
New Prices. 

u This shameful abuse in the managers shall be proved 
to the satisfaction of 

u The Lord Chamberlain." 

October 10, 1809. 



•! 



THE O. P. WAR. hi) 

At such hard times he was not willing 
To lose the earning of a shilling. 
Yet many thought, and think so still. 
That every word of the said bill 
Was true — nay, some presum'd to say, 
That B n th' orders gave away. 

Now precious skirmishes arose, 
Placards they ventured still V expose; 
The principal of which were those : 
11 Lads in the pit 
Never submit." 
" The Times and Post are bought and 

sold 
To Kemble's pride and Kemble's gold." 

The next night I both heard and saw 
Three acts of Colman's Heir at Law — 
The farce was neither heard nor seen, 
Which was the Padlock to have been. 
The Jewish boxers (sure I am) 
Were there, and at their head Dutch S/m. 
It certainly must be confess'd, 
The managers were much distress'd, 
When thus Mendoza's aid they courted. 
And to such paltry means resorted. 
With vocal music they engag'd 
As usual — the tempest raged — 






56 THE O. P. WAR. 

So manfully they exercis'd 

Their lungs — indeed you'd be surpris'd ; 

For instrumental music they 

Thought proper now aside to lay — 

T* exhibit bills they did persist. 

But few of them did long exist. 

They, notwithstanding, help'd the fuss, 

And some of them I think ran thus : 

" The Post runs down John Bull's placards, 

To aid John Kemble's Jew blackguards." 

u John Bull, defy the ruffian throng, 

Thou know'st they cannot touch thy tongue," 

** Oppose, boys, Shylock and his crew." 

u We'll have fair play — fair prices too." 
The catchpoles strive to be expert, 

But find the lads are too alert, 

For to the pit they boldly leap, 

And at a proper distance keep — 

Thus did they play at hide and seek, 

While orators rose up to speak. 

A fair her talents too display'd, 

But heaven knows, sir, what she said ! 

Some to the magistrate were brought, 

To be by G .... m manners taught. 

The magistrate observ'd indeed, 

How vile, disturbances to breed ! 



THE O. P. WAR. 57 

The riots which had taken place 

Were wicked, infamous, and base, 

And to the town a great disgrace. 

He then demanded heavy bail, 

And several were sent to jail — 

For not a moment he'd abide, 

Until the bail they could provide. 

Large bills next morning posted were ? 
From Bow-street office— to declare^ 

All rioters should punish'd be 
With scrupulous severity. 
Ah! magistrates, this would'n'tdo, 
John Bull knows law as well as you. 

Love in a Village, the next night, 
At the beginning gave delight — 
The harmony however ceas'd, 
And discord very soon encreas'd. 
Such notes resounded, shrill and fierce, 
That ev'ry ear they needs must pierce. 
No farce was heard — the arts employ 'd, 
Animal Magnetism destroy 'd. 
The Jews some hearty drubbings bore, 
Though not so numerous as before — 
Placards, as usual, were spread, 
>Mong which the following I read ; , 

d 5 



58 THE O. P. WAR. 

w ! Bish for ever, 
Mendoza never !" 
w Foul means will never silence Bull." 
u A long pull, a strong pull, a pull 
Altogether." 

And thus we see 
Went on the battle of O. P. 
October thirteen — Speed the Plough ; 
They play'd the farce Rosina now. 
The scene this evening was the same — 
No tumult 'till the half price came. 
To hang up bills some proudly try'd^ 
But those on Mr. Kemble's side 
Demolish'd them with equal pride. 

'Twas the Poor Gentleman the play^ 
Which was announced for Saturday — 
The farce, if I be not mistaken, 
Was to have been the Flitch of Bacon ; 
At the beginning all was quiet, 
But afterwards came on the riot : 
Numerous bills were now display'd, 
Of which I this selection made. 
u Every night our voice we'll raise, 
To Kemble's shame and Britain's praise." 
Cl When zeal's display 'd in a good cause^ 
It then deserves the town's applause," 



■ 



THE O. P. WAR. 59 

€i Our motto this — Conquer or die !" 
u To Kemble this is Bull's reply — 
Pit three and sixpence — It must be." 
u No Israelites here let us see." 
u Brave Britons, never quit the field, 
Until the foe is forc'd to yield." 

I also saw a prose placard, 
Which on the magistrates .bore hard. 
In language plain it signify'd 
Th' enormous bail folk must provide, 
If they were seen to laugh or hiss. 
For this it seems they took amiss ; 
Yes, I am told a person was 
Committed for this harmless cause. 
By these protectors of the laws : — 
He laugh'd, and where the harm of this ? 
What harm ev'n had it been a hiss ? 
But Brandon said (you'll think indeed 
That I veracity exceed) 
He said 'twas an unnatural laugh — 
Of course too violent by half. 

Thus pass'd a week — your pardon then 
If I awhile lay down the pen, 



60 THE O. P. WAR. 

LETTER IX. 

(in continuation) 

Again they hooted, hiss'd, and storm'd, 
Though Cooke Richard the Third perform'd. 
Much sooner than they did before, 
Commenc'd, it seems, their wild uproar: 
'Twas Monday night — at such a time 
The lads for sport are in their prime. 
To Cooke they paid but little heed.. 
And to the Farmer less indeed. 
The Jems, the managers' allies,. 
Had prov'd themselves a little wise — 
Their seats they to the Gentiles yield, 
For they had quitted now the field. 
The catchpoles too, call'd the kill-joys, 
Seem'd rather fearful of the boys ; 
So the placardists, undismay'd, 
The following large bills display'd. 
11 Genius of Britain, espouse our cause, 
Free us from Kemble and Jewish laws." 
" By ruffian Jews assaulted, 

By managers with scorn view'd. 
By thief-takers ill-treated — 

But John Bull will not be subdu'd." 



1 



THE O. P. WAR. 61 

The following, I surely right am 5 
Vex'd some — " Kemble versus Bull — Qui t am. 
" Mendoza to fight, 
Brandon to swear, 
John Bull in the right, 

Therefore don't care." 
" For in spite of thief-takers. 

Or magisterial power, 
If the people prove true, 

Their prices they must lower/' 
But that which on the present night 
The greatest tumult did excite, 
Was one with funeral devices — 
11 Here lies the body of Old Prices !" 
A coffin this inscription grac'd ; 
On the reverse was also plac'd — 
u Old Prices or no play ! — John Bull 
Be free — — !' 

This placard, down to pull, 
The catchpoles strove, but fail'd through fear ; 
'Twas thrown up to the second tier, 
There fasten'd with great exultation, 
And to the constables' vexation 
All night did it retain its station. 

Some of the heroes, did I see 5 
Who in their beavers wore 0* P* 



/ 



62 THE 0. P. WAR. 

These letters out of cards were cut^ 
And in conspicuous places put. 
An orator to speak began. 
Who pass'd now for a midshipman. 
As such he highly was rever'd, 
And for his counsel loudly cheer'd. 

On Tuesday 'twas the Road to Ruin, 
Which well agreed with what was doing — 
Their losses very plainly show'd 
The managers had ta'en this road. 
No mirth now Peeping Tom produc'd, 
Though smiles V excite it often us'd. 
Placards were seen — applause they gain. 
But all were of the usual strain ; 
Yet one, my friend, I needs must mention, 
Because it was a strange invention — 
A man's head did they now expose, 
With spectacles upon his nose ; 
And in each eye-hole did I see 
The letter O, the letter P. 

The midshipman, who spoke before. 
Now rose and utter'd something more : 
The officers he chanc'd to meet, 
Who quickly dragged him to Bow-street. 
This led to an examination, 
When it was prov'd, on this occasion, 



THE O. P. WAR. 63 

That a false character he bore — 

A borrow'd dress too also wore — 

A counterfeit without a doubt ; 

In short, the midshipman turn'd out 

A druggist's clerk — what a strange whim! 

Th' exposure wormwood was to him. 

Another prisoner brought they strait 

Before the worthy magistrate : 

This was, indeed, a piteous case — 

She was a servant out of place, 

Who went, it seems, as well she might, 

To see the comedy that night. 

By and by into her lap was thrown 

A rattle, by a man unknown — 

A little plaything — a mere toy 

That's us'd by many a girl and boy. 

So, midst the din of dreadful battle, 

Poor Mary Austin sprung the rattle 

The catchpoles, without loss of time, 

Now seiz'd her for this heinous crime: 

The magistrates began to rail, 

And told her, if she did'n't find bail, 

That moment to prison he'd commit her — 

Such were his words, severe and bitter. 

She wonder'd at this harsh decree, 

And well she might, no friend had she 3. 



64 THE O. P. WAR. 

A servant girl, forlorn, distressed ! 

All which she candidly confess'd. 

But ah ! her story was in Tain, 

For though her statement was so plain — 

Though in a word she did not vary, 

To prison did he send poor Mary* 

A general topic this became — 

The managers got all the blame ; 

And odes thereon our poets wrote, 

But only one I thought of note — 

<c The Managers 'gainst Mary Austin," 

Which readers' eyes with tears did moisten- 

This ditty, which did credit win, 

The Morning Chronicle was in £ 

And, as it fully states the case. 

Must be inserted in this place* 



cc A luckless damsel, out of place. 
To the new playhouse went ; 

On harmless pleasure for the night, 
Her mind was solely bent. 

** Among the gods her seat she took, 

And fearing no disgrace, 
Her eyes with pleasure beam'd on all* 

And sweetly smil'd her face. 



THE O. P. WAR. 65 

44 The drama's moral scene commenc'd, 

Teaching th' instructive lesson, 
The 44 Road to Ruin " to avoid ; 

It fail'd in its impression. 

u Not on poor Mary's simple flrind, 

The moral she regarded ; 
But on the managers, from whom 

All sense seems quite discarded. 

44 For, not content upon the stage 

The dang'rous road to shew, 
The same injurious course behind 

The scenes they still pursue. 

44 The angry mind of sturdy John 

They goad and irritate ; 
And ask him, 44 What he w r ants ?" forsooth, 

The question comes too late ! 

44 And soon, unless a ray of light 

Illume their darken'd mind, 
To their own cost, repentance too, 

Will come too late, they'll find ; — 

44 For every night the contest grows 

More fierce in every part ; 
And John's stentorian lungs cannot 

Be stopp'd by force or art. 



66 THE O. P. WAR. 

" To persevere is childish too. 
And so poor Mary thought. 

And sprung an infant's rattle, which 
Her swain with him had brought. 

" Amidst confusion's wild uproar. 
And thundering applause, 

Poor Mart's rattle's faintly heard 
Mid Pandemonian noise, 

" A host of myrmidons rush forth, 
Equipp'd with law and clubs. 

Supported by a fighting band, 
And tribes of Jewish cubs, 

" The hostile phalanx plunge among 
A paltry coward crew — 

Drag forth the unresisting girl, 
Blushing, to public view. 

Ci As they retire, they proudly raisd 
A trophy won in battle ; 

And shew the gaping multitude 
Poor Mary Austin's rattle ! 

u Before a magistrate severe, 
InstalPd in pomp and state, 

She pleads with artless innocence, 
And deprecates her fate. 



THE O. P. WAR. 67 

M No clemency he shews the maid, 

Whom no protection shields ; 
For her offence she must atone. 

And pine in Tothil-fields. 

ki Indignantly she heard a doom 

That challenges belief! 
By which, for childish sport at most, 

She's punish'd like a thief t 

14 As from (he justice she withdrew, 

A blush suffus'd her cheek ; 
But not of guilt or conscious shame — 

No ! — that in others seek. 

u Shcblush'd for those, whose steel-clad hearts 

The helpless prosecute, 
And send poor giddy girls to gaol, 

Because they can't be mute. 

" If foolish thus, ye managers, 
You fight your senseless battles, 

You'll be subdu'd with such arms yct^ 
As children's penny rattles," 



68 THE O. P. WAR. 

The next night, friend, I went to see 
O'Keeffe's Wild Oats and Lock and Key / 
But such the discord, the shrill notes, 
It was, I found, John Bull's zcild oats ; 
And as to lock and key^ 'tis said 
The magistrate the chief part play'd. 
The bills which several boxes deck'd 
Were to the following effect : — 

" The drama's laws are now abused. 
And Kemble's desperate band 

Of hired ruffians — ragged Jews, 
With him go hand in hand " 
M The third floor of this house to let — 
Conveniences therewith you'll get." 

€i In former times, as was most fit, 

The laws did vagabonds commit ; 

'Tis vice versa now — because 

The vagabonds commit the laws." 

Cooke, on the nineteenth, gaye us then his 
Arch Shylock i'th' Merchant of Venice ; 
But all in vain — the noise begins, 
And drowns the farce too of Who Wins? 
Some bills were seen, but soon were torn™ 
" Cooke has our pity — Kemble scorn." 
" Though the Kembles may bless, 
We damn The British Press." 



THE O. P. AVAR. 69 

Still several poor souls were seiz'd — 
The magistrates, still unappeas'd, 
Insisted on their finding bail, 
And those who could not, sent to gaol. 
But one they happen'd to lay hold on — 
Yes, an attorney,* and a bold one, 
Who, when they talked of prosecuting, 
Because he had been hissing, hooting, 
Declar'd he'd seek for satisfaction, 
And against Harris bring an action. 
The magistrate, as usual, storm'd, 
But, finding he was well-inform'd, 
Drew in his horns — yes, when he saw 
He was a member of the law, 
He quickly order'd his discharge. 
Th' attorney, when he was at large, 
Resum'd the seat he had before. 
And hiss'd and hooted ten times more ! 

Next the Duenna they perform'd — 
At half price how they hiss'd and storm'd ! 
The farce of All the World's a Stage 
Cou'd not be heard amidst their rage. 
Caricatures of Kemble's face 
Were shown in a conspicuous place, 

* Mr. Thomas. 



70 THE O. P. WAR. 

Each certainly as large as his, 

And with a melancholy phiz. 

This droll inscription too had one — 

w Pity my ait dies," writ thereon. 

And underneath another head, 

These Alexandrine lines I read : — 

u It's no wonder John Kemble shou'd cease to 
be civil — 

Set a beggar on horseback, he'll ride to the 
devil." 

Some curious play-bills were invented : — 

u To-morrow night will be presented. 

Empty Benches, and (by request) 

A House to be Sold ! 'Mong the rest 

John Bull Victorious. — John Bull by 

The publie, who their skill will try." 

A few placards too did I see. 

But only this attracted me : 
u When honest John's imposed upon, 

No threats make him dissemble ; 
As he has conquer'd many a Don, 
He'll conquer too John Kemble." 
On Saturday they play'd Othello — 

John Bull did rant the most and bellow, 

And of the farce — it is averr'd — 

Is he a Prince ? no part was heard. 



THE O. P. WAR. 71 

For war continued still his reign, 
And this, 'mong other bills, was seen. 

" Nought, my lads, shall make us tremble, 
No — not the hired host and Keinble." 

Thus pass'd another week — and now 
Some time to rest your friend allow. 



LETTER X. 

(in continuation) 

The Woodman on the twenty-third 

They play'd ; the contest, on my word, 

Encreas'd — and therefore it was right 

To give a pantomime that night — 

*Twas Oscar and Malvina^ friend, 

To which no person did attend. 

Some skirmishes now gave delight. 

For each, my friend, was a sham fight — 

And while they hiss, and shout, and groan, 

The following placards were shown : , 

u Lads in the pit. 

Will it be fit, 



72 THE O. P. WAR, 

j 

To let our king's jubilee 
King John's jubilee be ? 
Be Britons still, 
And rally we will, 
On the twenty-sixth day — 
Huzza ! huzza!" 
tc What do you want ? 
Old prices grant. 
You must pay the new — 
I'm d— d if I do." 
6i No crim. con. boxes let there be 5 
An English playhouse must be free ; 
Old prices, or no play." — " Take care, 
Of hired prize-fighters beware." 

And now began to sing great many, 
God save the King, and Rule Britannia. 
Three cheers for John Bull gave the crew, 
Three groans for Kemble did ensue, 
Then to the house they bade adieu. 

The Iron Chest was the next time, 
Together with the pantomine.* 
Now an address, with flatt'ry mix'd, 
To this day's playbills was affix'd — 

* Oscar and Malvina, as it had been th& preceding 
night. 



THE O. P. WAR. T5 

Which talked of the investigation, 
And of a great and generous nation; 
Which mention'd, with profound formality, 
The wisdom , justice , liberality 
Of English people, so enlightened; 
But which it seems led to no right end. 
John Bull already knew his merit, 
And was resolv'd to show his spirit. 
Some of the play indeed was heard— 
Charles Kemble in his part appear'd : 
The character of Wilford then, 
Which once was Bannister's; but when 
M This is no house for me," he cried, 
They laugh'd, and with "No! no!" replied. 

The tumult at half price began— - 
(This, as I told you, was the plan) 
Placards were shown to all the pit: — 
" King John shall to John Bull submit." 
A car'cature of Kemble's face, 
Betok'ning rage, received a place ; 
And underneath was written on't — 
u / beg to know what i$ J 4 you want ?" 

The Man of the World next they play'd, 
I little heard of what was said : 
As 'twas October twenty-Jive, 
A Jubilee they did contrive, 
£ 



74 THE O. P. WAR. 

In honor of the day, and thus 

They thought to moderate the fuss ; 

But no, a greater noise ensu'd, 

They hiss'd, they groan'd, cough'd, sneez'd, 

halloo'd. 
John Bull was not to be subdu'd 
By Dibdin's pen — God save the King 
The piece concluded ; this to sing 
The actors and the audience join'd, 
And all, for once, were of one mind. 

Laugh when you can — as interlude. 
The Jubilee^ and, to conclude, 
The pantomime was now repeated, 
Which with the same disdain was treated. 
The same for Thursday did they fix : 
'Twas now October, twenty-six. 
In the fifth act sprung up the breeze. 
And several display'd O. P's. 
As bills had now been found 'gainst seven. 
And as Mainwaring too had given 
A labour'd charge to the grand jury. 
They thought to silence John Bull's fury; 
But no, more furious he became, 
For threats the brave can never tame. 

On Friday, as a prelude, they 
The Jubilee thought fit to play ; 



THE O. P. WAR. 75 

The managers, as it appear'd, 

Resolv'd this trifle shou'd be heard : 

It was : — no matter : — to proceed, 

For now I shall be brief indeed — 

The Stratagem did then ensue, 

And Oscar and Malvina too ; 

And now the noise seem'd to decrease, 

But not entirely to cease ; 

The managers had hopes of peace — 

They thought to triumph over Bull, 

But mark, the house was not near full. 

The Jubilee^ School of Reform ;, 
And Raising the Wind without a storm, 
On Saturday were heard and seen ; 
You'll ask, perhaps, what can this mean ? 
'Twas a manoeuvre, a mere sham, 
Yes, friend, a most deceitful calm. 
Thus Bull impos'd upon the foe, 
As will my next epistle show ; 
But though the playhouse was so quiet, 
They in the streets kept up the riot — 
O. P. continually they roar, 
And write O. P. on every door : 
Ballads were written too, and sun», 
All the mobility among. 



76 THE O. P. WAR. 

They chanted now the O. P. war, 
In Covent-Garden, Temple Bar ; 
Nay, every where both near and far. 
Then, with a specimen of these, 
I shall conclude now, if you please. 



" Come all you lads and you lasses fond of sport, 
And listen to my ditty, and hear but my report, 
For if in seeing pantomimes, it pleases your 

delight, 
Then haste to Covent Garden, it openeth to night. 

CHORUS. 

" Then haste away unto the play, where you can 
quickly be, 

And by paying of a shilling this famous play- 
house see. 

* c This noble building to be sure, has beauty 
without bounds, 

It cost upwards of one hundred and fifty thous- 
and pounds ; 

They've Madame Catalani there to open her 
wide throat, 

But to hear your foreign singers I would »ot 
give a groat : 



THE O. P. WAR. 77 

So haste away unto the play, whose fame has 

reach'd the skies. 
And when the Cat opens her mouthy oh ! how 

she'll catch the flies. 

" You coblers lay by your awl, and taylors lay 

by your thimble, 
Bricklayers, aye, and bakers too, ami frisk 

away so nimble, 
All trades agree, advis'd by me, for once leav* 

off your slaving, 
And barbers lay your razors by, for once leave off 

your shaving ; 
And haste away unto the play, each merry heart- 
ed soul, [hole. 
For by giving of a shilling you'll get a pigeon- 
Come then all you jolly lads who are anxious to 

be pleas'd, 
And all you pretty lasses who're willing to be 

squecz'd, 
For there will be such crowding at three o'clock 

they say ; 
But killing is no murder, they allow it now a day : 
So haste away unto the play, 

You'll surely find the door, 
For they've rais'd the pit and boxes, 

But that can't hurt the poor." 



78 THE O. P. WAR. 



KING JOHN IN A COCK'D HAT. 

John Kemble he would an acting go, 

Heigho ! says Kemble ; 
He rais'd the price, which he thought too low, 
Whether the public would let him or no, 

With his rowley powley, gammon and 
spinnage, 
And " Oh !" says Manager Kemble* 

The mob at the door made a mighty din, 

Heigho ! says Kemble ; 
They dash'd like devils thro' thick and thin, 
And over the benches came tumbling in 5 

With rowley, &c. 
<c 'Twill do," says manager Kemble. 

Soon as they pass'd Bill Shakspeare's hall, 

Heigho! says Kemble; 
They thought the lobbies were much too small, 
So they gave a loud roar, and they gave a loud 
bawl, 
With their rowley, &c. 
" Hallo !" says Manager Kemble, 



THE O. P. WAR. 79 

"Pray what do you want?" (in a sort of a huff) 

Heigho ! says Kemble; 
Says Mr. Leigh, " Nonsensical stuff, [enough, " 
u Pugh ! none of your gammon, you know well 
With your rowlcy, &c. 
Ci O dear!" says Manager Kembie. 

He held by the tip of his opera hat, 

Heigho ! says Kemble; 
<c Indeed the concern is as poor as a rat." 
Says John Bull, u No, damme, we don't stand 
that," 
With our row ley, &c. 
'Twont do, great Manager Kemble. 

fie folded his arms in a sad nonplus, 

Heigho ! says Kemble ; 
With Queen Anne's acts he made a fuss : 
SaysBull, u What the devil's Queen Anne to us?" 

With her rowley, (fee. 
'Twont do, great Manager Kemble. 

He swore to himself, an oath by Styx, 

Heigho ! says Kemble ; 
Kind ladies and gentlemen, none of your tricks, 
I love seven shillings much better than six, 

With my rowley, &c. 
Ci I do," says Manager Kemble. 



80 THE 0. P. WAR. 

Then warr'd the gallery, gentle souls^ 

Heigho ! says Kemble ; 
u No private boxes, no pigeon-holes, 
u We'll douse your glims in a crack, by goles," 

With row ley ? &c. 
"Pray don't !" says Manager Kemble. 

" I can't those private boxes rob," 

Heigho ! says Kemble ; 
With Lord O'Straddle I drink hob and nob, 
And I'm hand and glove with my Lord Thin, 
gumbob. 
With his rowley, &c. 
" I am," says Manager Kemble. 



LETTER XL 

(in continuation) 






Of forty-one bills, I assure you, 
Which were presented the grand jury, 
They found but twelve — all those that hiss'd ? 
Talk'd, hooted, whistl'd, they dismiss'd : 






THE O. P. WAR. 81 

Of course near thirty were enlarg'd, 
And Mary Austin was discharg'd. 
John Bull saw safely how to act — 
For this he waited, 'tis a fact. 
On Monday now I went to see 
The Grecian Daughter — Jubilee, 
1 And Flitch of Bacon. — Mr. Cooke 
To speak a prologue undertook — 
This tended to renew the war, 
And make them more outrageous far ; 
For when that Mr. Cooke began, 
'Twas thus the ill-judg'd couplet ran : 

a Though hostile rage so long within these walla 
Has rais'd a tempest that each heart appals. " 
&c. &c. &c. 

This seem'd V imply, upon my word, 
Tranquillity was now restor'd. 
But soon John Bull show'd it was not, 
He was more furious now — more Tiot — 
He gcoan'd and whistled, hiss'd and hooted, 
For now his right cou'dn't be disputed; 
In short a tempest rais'd withal, 
That every heart might well appal ; 
Then saw the managers, misguided, 
That hostile rage had not subsided. 
e 5 



82 THE O. P. WAR. 

It was on Tuesday the Exile, 
And Portrait of Cervantes — while 
These entertainments they perform'd, 
As usual the public storm'd. 
Some in the pit too did I see 
Wear in their hats a large O. P. 
And many a whistle, many a rattle, 
Promoted the tremendous battle. 
Now, by th' advice of Mr. Brandon, 
A constable laid his rude hand on 
A barrister^ — 'fore Justice Read, 
In Bow-street, was he brought indeed. 
A large O. P. was in his hat. 
And Brandon said, by means of that, 
He made the people hiss and groan — 
The barrister did freely own 
He wore a large O. P. — what then ? 
He'd wear it, if he pleas'd, again. 
u The witness says I made them hiss, 
Pray let him take his oath of this/' 
But no — he wou'd not — -he was loth, 
It seems, to take this dangerous oath. 
Then said the magistrate — " I see 
The gentleman must be set free." 

* Henry Clifford, Esq. 



THE O. P. WAR. 83 

fHe chose the safe side to prefer, 

Because he was ... .a barrister — ). 

But now the gentleman against 

The witness was so much incens'd ; 

He said that for the gross offence 

A prosecution he'd commence. 

He had a right, he did declare, 

To put into his hat whatever 

He pleas'd, and any letters wear. — 

The magistrate's paw'r he defied — 

A jury should the case decide — 

So Read thought proper to acquit him, 

Indeed he dreaded to commit him. 

This barrister, like a plain dealer, 

Said, " Had I been, sir, apoor tailor, 

You would have held me then to bail here." 

This incident now went abroad ; 

The lads his spirit much applaud. 

Next night to countenance the rumour, 

They went t' Every Man in his Humour ^ 

And Oscar and Malvina — when 

They all display'd O. P.'s again. 

E ? en hand-bills now were multiplied, 

And with some novelty supplied. 

u O. P. and Clifford too fur ever ! 

44 Rally and conquer" — u Relax never ;'* 



84 THE O. P. WAR, 

" The Devil's black, 

And so is Jack." 
" Be Britons still, both true and brave. 
And ne'er to Jew or Kemble slave." 
The parties now were signaliz'd 
By shouts and groans — all methodiz'd. 
The former which were for the King, 
Clifford and Scott — made all parts ring — 
The groans which were for Brandon, Kemble, 
Mainwaring too — made all parts tremble. 

The Grecian Daughter, I remember, 
Was on the second of November — 
With which was play'd the Turnpike Gate y 
The riot being still as great. 
As many O. P.'s as before, 
As many hand-bills, if not more. 
u In preparation— new editions 
Of fam'd placards with some additions." 
iC Shall John Bull ever fear and tremble,. 
At th' voice of John Philip Kemble ? 
Ha, ha, ha!"— A person was told 
By constables his tongue to hold, 
But thus he answer'd very bold : 
" No — I'm John Bull — to show you my 

sense, 
I for my tongue took out a licence, 



THE O. P. WAR. 85 

And I will use it." — In this mood 
John Bull up in the boxes stood, 
And manfully began to roar, 
u The prices shall be as before !" 
They next perform'd A Cure for the Heart- 
ache. 
When Jones did Mr. Lewis' part take — 
Oscar moreover was repeated, 
And with loud groans and hisses greeted — ~ 
u Ministers of grace defend us !" 
The riot now became tremendous, 
Abundance of sham fights took place, 
And in the pit was many a race. 
Some fifty O. P. hats were sported, 
To loyal songs they then resorted. 
The O. P.'s occupied the pit ; 
In the front row they chose to sit ; 
And when Young Rapid in the play, 
Exclaim'd " Push on, keep moving," they 
Push'd on indeed the ev'ning's riot, 
And kept their lungs in motion by it. 
Placards were shown, some stale indeed, 
And some not proper you should read. 
One though deserves to be here quoted, 
They say too Mr. Clifford wrote it, 



86 THE O. P. WAR. 

That saying though may be erroneous — 
A parody 'tis on Ausonius : 

" Since potent hisses prove the public mind, 
Which has of late been of the hissing kind — 
Let those hiss now who never hiss'd before,- 
And those who' ve always hiss'd now hiss the more. ?> 

A precious noise indeed they made, 
And method was throughout display'd ; 
First for John Bull a loud huzza, 
A groan for Kemble then gave they— 
And lastly, sir, a clap for those 
Who occupied the private rows. 
The brave O. P.'s then in a throng, 
Perform'd a dance, and then a song — 
These evolutions done, they left 
Their seats, of coverings bereft — 
And marching home, as I have heard, 
The Morning Chronicle they cheer'd ; 
The Morning Post they groan'd — in short, 
It was a night of glorious sport. ' 

The Grecian Daughter and Review, 
Were next perform'd by Harris' crew — 
And though the house was \ery thin, 
The noise did very soon begin, 



THE O. P. WAR. 87 

But when it was half after eight. 

The hurly-buriy then was great. 

For rattles, trumpets, every lad 

In boxes, pit, and gall'ries had. 

O. P.'s in plenty did I view 

In silver, some with ribbons blue. 

They also did placards exhibit, 

And figures too of many a gibbet. 

Yes, my dear friend, they went so far as 

To hang poor Kemble and poor Harris— 

And underneath each effigy 

Was — This is for Monopoly, 

Of the placards I'll mention two, 

Adhering only to the new — 

" Though Kemble bows to many a strumpet, 

He starts now at a penny trumpet." 

Th' other a list of names contain'd, 

From whom subscriptions had been gain'd : 

For a subscription, you must know, 

Had open'd been some days ago, 

In order to support th' O. P.'s, 

Whom constables were pleas'd to seize : 

And great were now the contributions 

T' avert the threatened prosecutions. 

But every one who gave a crown, 

Or a pound note ? therewith put down 



* 



88 THE O. P. WAR, 

Sarcastic words— as thus — you see— 

iC A foe to base monopoly, 

A crown." — u A foe to every Don, 

One pound." — " An enemy to John 

And vile oppression, one pound one." 

This list on managers bore hard, 

And form'd this evening's feest placard*. 

They jeer'd the private boxes so, 

The ladies were oblig'd to go. 

And having sparr'd and made a fuss, 

The entertainments ended thus. 

The streets they, as before, paraded, 

And enemies with groans degraded* 

Indeed not only at this late time, 

But I assure you in the day-time. 

It was in every place the theme — 

The press did with fresh ballads teem ; 

Which ditties were to folks a treaty 

In every alley., lan-e^ and street. 

A few of these, as they hereafter 

May serve my friend to promote laughter, 

By way of postscript I subjoin — 

But pray don't think that they are mine. 

And now — for I'm exhausted nearly, 

I must conclude- with 

Your's sincerely. 



fHE O. P. WAR, 89 

KEMBLE, LEAVE THE PIT ALONE. 

Johnny, leave the pit alone, 
Let them crack their wit alone ; 
Can't you let them sit alonc 3 

Let 'em sing 0. P. 
Why with lawyers fagging 'em, 
Up to Bow-street dragging 'em 5 
Brandon aims at gagging 'em. 
More the blockhead he. 

Johnny, leave the pit alone, 
Let 'em crack their wit alon« 
Can't you let 'em sit alone, 
L^t 'em sing O. P. 

Other measures try at, O ! 
Lei the house be quiet, O ! 
Coughing is not riot, O ! 
Valiant boys are we. 

Johnny, leave the pit alone, 
Let 'em crack their wit alone j 
Can't you let 'em sit alone. 
Let 'cm sing O. P. 

Despotism French is, O ! 
0. P. lads and wenches, O ! 



i 



SO THE O. P. WAR. 

Gallop o'er the benches, ! 
Trip it. merrily. 

Johnny, leave the pit alone. 
Let 'em crack their wit alone : 
Can't you let 'em sit alone. 
Let 'em sing O. P. 

Now lead down the middle, ! 
Foot it to the fiddle, ! 
Fol de do! de diddle, ! 
Shout, my boys, O. P. 

Johnny, leave the pit alone, 
Let 'em crack their wit alone ; 
Can't you let 'em sit alone. 
Let 'em sing O. P. 



BRITONS AND KING JOHN. 

You've heard of John Kemble, the king of the 

stage, 

Who has put John Bull in a terrible rage, 

About his new playhouse, built up in a trice, 

But he could not content himself with the Old 

Price. 

Tol de rol, $c. 



1 



THE O. P. WAR. 91 

To raise private bo?> qs, he had been at great pains, 
Thinking it might answer his own private gains; 
But the public deceived him, as quickly you'll 

see, 
For they swore the price should still be O. P. 

Tol de rol, &;c t 

Do you think we'll submit, says John Bull, no 
never, [ever ; 

Not while we are supported by Clifford, for 

We fear not your boxers, nor your Bow-strcct 
rats, 

Who arrest people that wear the O. P. in their 
hats. Tol de rol^ $c. 

So, King John, you had better take my advice, 

And make no resistance, but lower the price ; 

If their favors you'd gain, as you have done 
before, 

Quickly lower the price, and their pardon im- 
plore. Tol de rol, <^c. 

So managers all, take a warning, and tremble, 
Least you share the same fate of Manager Kemble; 
Don't think of Nezo P rices , or else do you see, 
You may chance to meet with the ghost of O. P. 

Tol de roh Sfc. 



m 



52 THE O. P. WAR. 



KEMBLE, HARRIS, and CO. 

Iti September, Jack open'd his mighty fine house. 
Which he built, on presumption^ the public to 

chouse ] 
He it national call'd, jet his very first prank 
Was to engage an Italian to take the front rank. 

Derry down. 

He next in his national booth, you all know, 

De-nationalized the very first row; 

Nay j he bullied and swore to his master, John 

Bull, 
If you pop your nose there, sir, that nose we 

shall pull. Derry down. 

This Jack such an insolent servant's become, 

That public opinion he treats as a hum ; 

Your displeasure and groans he regards as mere 

trash, 
And he spits in your face while he pockets your 

cash. Derry down- 

He raises his price, while he sinks his respect, 
But his prices and boxes alike we'll reject; 



THE O. P. WAR. 93 

He, and his three partners, by this time shou'd 

know. 
We are determin'd to conquer Jack, Harris, 

and Co. Derry down. 

They send in their ruffians, who saucily sit, 
With their doxies, in front seats of boxes or pit, 
With orders, to stifle the sense of the town, 
And convince us of error by knocking us down. 

Derry down. 

But legally let us persist, and these elves 

Will feel all the mischief recoil on themselves — 

u Persevere" is our motto, we'll prove to these 

drones, 
Now give Jack and his ruffians three resolute 

groans, Derry down. 



TRAGIC JOHN and JOHN BULL. 

Britons attend, and listen to our story, 
About tragic John, the great dramatic tory; 
Whose house beipg fir'd, drew Johnny Bull's 

tears, 
Ah ! how lucky* for 'twas tumbling round our 

cars Bow, wow, &c. 






• 



94 THE O. P. WATt. 

Then Jack,combining with Charley and his sister, 
Vow'd to bleed poor Bull, and give him a blister. 
And thinking he paid too little in his taxes, 
Clapp'd sixpence on pit and a shilling on boxes. 

Bow, wow, &c. 

But Britons, who want neither valour nor wit, 
Found champions for their rights in boxes and 

pit; 
Demanded of John why he had rais'd the price, 
And sent him off the stage with very good ad- 
vice. Bow, wow, &c. 

Then John came again, with a long narration, 

And talk'd of Queen Anne, and changes in th« 
nation; 

But Jack and his sister 5 amidst wealth and re- 
nown, 

Forget the rags they wore when they first came 
to town. Bow, wow, &c. 

Says Jack in Macbeth, our taylor's rais'd his 

price, 
And our fiddlers now are grown very nice; 
How dear are the brooms too, us'd by our 

witches, 
If you do not come down, poor Mac will have 

no breeches. Bow, wow. &c. 



I 

THE O. P. WAR. 93 

But John, you have screw'd from us the pigeon- 
holes, 

And twelve thousand a-ycar you gain from the 
good souls, 

Who adore Mother Cat, and admire her squall- 
ing? 

D — n me, when she comes, she'll hear some 
English bawling. Bow, wow, &c. 

Britons, be firm in this war with Johnny Kemble, 
Never mind his proposal, 'tis all a dissemble; 
And when he talks of Sir Vinegar, and other 

arbitrators, 
Say, Britons judge for themselves without 

government contractors. 

Bow, wow, &e. 



96 THE O. P. WAR. 

LETTER XIF, 

(in continuation) 

Othello and the Blind Boy were 
For Monday night the playhouse fare ; 
The noise was greater than before. 
For Bull, though without horns^ can roar I 
They fought, they wrestl'd, jump'd, and ran, 
And such like merry games began. 
The new placards caused some alarms- 
One, painted like a coat of arms, 
Quarter'd with rattles, horns, O. P. 
And in the centre did I see — 
" Bill of the play," the rest P. B.* 
u Is Mr. Kemble gone abroad ? 
Yes ; to the country. Pray what road ? 
The Road to Ruin." u We agree, 
That o'er the private boxes be 
Writ — Love and Opportunity !'* 
Poor Kemble they bore rather hard on — 
u Oh, fie! 'tis an unweeded garden." + 



* i. e. private boxes. 

f A quotation from Haw let. 



THE O. P. WAR. 97 

" The great Lord Dartmouth will, ere long, 
Make Mr. Kemble hold his tongue." 
This was a question to John Bull — 
u Is John a greater knave than fool ?" 
Among the terms of peace I read, 
11 Brandon discharg'd," just o'er my head. 
This night the singing and uproar, 
Were much the same, sir, as before. 

On Tuesday night, November seven. 
The Exile (last new play) was given : 
The Jew and Doctor then sacceedcd, 
But play and farce were little heeded. 
So great was now the people's rage, 
They threw a patten on the stage; 
And something too at Mr. Fawcet — 
I of a neighbour ask'd, what was it ? 
He thought a halfp'ny, so it was ; 
I cannot tell though for what cause. 
Now war again resum'd his reign, 
And many the placards were seen — 
a Insequtturque Clamor virum." 
As for the rest, I did'a't admire 'em. 
Sixty new constables, they tell, 
Were now sworn in at Clerkenwell ; 
And had they sworn in sixty more, 
John Bull would not have ceas'd his roar. 



9$ THE O. P. WAR. 

Inkle and Yarico next I, sir, 
Saw represented with The Miser. 
John Bull now varied the dispute- 
Sometimes outrageous, sometimes mute. 
A glittering show the boxes made — 
O. P's. in silence were display'd : 
One lad was very loudly cheer'd— 
With a buff waistcoat he appear'd. 
And on his breast a large O. P. 
Sometimes they added N. P. B.* 
Few of the handbills charm'd the eye ; 
One was — u We'll conquer or we'll die." 
Several rattles spoke their scorn. 
And Mr. Bull now us'd his horn. 
A bold Hibernian made a speech, 
But not a word my ears cou'd reach ; 
He stood up for the public cause. 
And by his blunders gain'd applause. 

'Twas Romeo and Juliet, sir, on Thursday, 
And the Poor Soldier : this the worse day 
Since the commencement of the battle — 
The horn and whistle, bell and rattle, 
Were by the warriors united, 
And a tremendous noise excited. 

* i. e. no private boxes. 



THE O. P. WAR. 99 

Several placards now struck the view — 
u O. P. expects each man will do 
" His duty." " Down with secret doors !" 
c< The private boxes are for w s !" 

cc Sons of Britain, ne'er give o'er, 

'Till the price is as before ; 

Thus demonstrate ^very night, 

They are wrong and you are right." 
"Death -or O. P. 
And no P. B." 
But that which most applause obtain'd, 
Can never be in rhyme explainM ; 
By shoutings it was much extoll'd, 
And with some justice might be call'd 
Th' O. P's. standard, or O. P. arms. 
It having hieroglyphic charms ; 
'Twas rais'd by a long stick, and near 
Approaoh'd, I think, the second tier. 

Some little games were now performed, 
And loud they bellow'd, roar'd, and storm'd* 
In one o'th' plays which they'd invented, 
A constable was represented — 
Who dared his presence to obtrude, 
When lo ! a sham fight then ensu'd. 
The O. P. dance afforded glee ; 
In every step they roar'd O. P. 



100 THE O. P. WAR. 

And every step was so correct. 
It had a whimsical effect. 

The Man of the World 'twas next nighty 
And Oscar and Malvina. Quite 
The same, as before, the noise and riot ; 
In truth, John Bull wou'd not be quiet. 
Abundant the placards were now, 
And some were witty, I allow. 
" Old Kemble, in his utmost need, 
Depends upon a fragile Reed." 
" New Prices down to hell, and say 
Old Prices sent you there — away !" * 

Love in a Village was the play 
They advertis'd for Saturday ; 
With Animal Magnetism — but 
AH eyes 'gainst play and farce were shut. 
The noise was great, and the applause 
Was very great indeed, because 
The O. P's. in the pit were headed 
By Mr"; Clifford, who was dreaded 
By Brandon and the magistrate, 
As did a former letter state. 
This was the barrister, so great, 



* This is a parody upon a line in Richard III. viz. 
"Down, down to hell, and say I send you there," 



THE O. P. WAR. 101 

Who in the pit before, sir, sat, 

With an O. P. fix'd in his hat. 

Some of the handbills now were new. 

So with your leave I'll give a few. 

M Full forty nights has Johnny trembled, 

To see such mad Bulls here assembled. V 

M What do you zcant ? — We want Old Prices, 

No Italian airs, no French devices — 

An humble apology we want. 

Which it behoves you too to grant — 

As much the town you did abuae, 

By ruffians hir'd and fighting Jews." 

cc Relinquish all vile animosity t 

And trust to public generosity. •* 

u As virtue tends mankind to polish, 

The private boxes then abolish." 

u Statement of the victories gain'd, 

By those who have the war maintained 

Against King John, videlicet — 

The ruffians hired and Hebrews beat, 

John Kemble from the stage expell'd, 

To scorn the private boxes held ; 

Finale — Johnny Bull victorious ! 

A triumph hon'rable and glorious!" 

A car'catur**, a bull display'd. 

Tossing the manager, 'tis said : 



102 THE O. P. WAR. 

And thus this week, you see, my friend, 
Did in like noise and bustle end. 
More SGngs were written, I declare ; 
The following the best ones are. 



THE NEW-BUILT PLAYHOUSE, O ! 



Loud roar'd the watchman's rattle, 

Dust bells began the din, 
Announced the hour of battle — 
'Twas half-price rushing in! 
Whilst o'er the rascal crew 
Vast consternation flew, 
At the sight 
On that night, 
In the new-built playhouse, O ! 

The catcalls next shrill sounding, 

'Midst O. P's. vocal strain ; 
The magic dance resounding, 
Near rent the walls in twain ; 
Our victors strengthen'd grew, 
O'erturn'd the Bow-street crew, 



THE O. P. WAR. 1QJ 

At the sight 
On that night, 
In the new-built playhouse, O ! 

Then, mustering our forces, 

Attack'd the thieves again ; 
But number'd in our losses 
A few brave O. P. men* 
The victory was our's, 
Brave 0. P. loudly roars, 
At the sight, 
On that night, 
In the new built Playhouse, O ! 



PITY POOPv KEMBLE, GENTLEFOLKS, 
PRAY. 

Ye kind-hearted Britons, poor Kemble behold, 
Who in building his playhouse has sunk store 

of gold, 
About private-boxes be not over-nice, 
And consent to his wishes, by paying his price; 
This song till ye do so, I'll sing ev'ry day, 
Pity, poor Kemble, gentlefolks, pray. 



104 THE Q. P. WAR. 

While catcalls, and trumpets, and rattles art 

us'd, 
Only think how the manager must be confus'd ; 
Be hush'd into peace then — no more let them 

see, 
Those two cursed letters, the O. and the P. 
This song, till ye mind me, I'll sing ev'ry day, 
Pity poor Kemble, gentlefolks, pray. 

Reflect, if so much on O. P. ye are set. 
It may drive Mr. Kemble away in a pet; 
To play-going folk, what a desperate shock, 
Should my master relinquish the buskin and 

. sock ; 
For who can play like him (should he go away). 
Pity, poor Kemble, gentlefolks, pray. 



NEW COVENT-GAPvDEN. 

A house there was of great renown, 
It stood near Covent-Garden ; 

This very house was once burnt down, 
All through a careless warden. 



THE O. P, WAR. 105 

They built the same all up again, 

It had a princely founder ; 
And though it did their pockets drain. 
They said 'twould be a wonder. 
Oh ! Covent-Garden ; delightful Covent-Gar- 
den; 

What do the folks expect of thee, delightful 
Covent-Garden ? 

This theatre, when first begun, 
Did raise great expectation, 

And caus'd a deal of talk and fun, 
Throughout our mighty nation. 

September was the appointed time, 
That it complete would be, sir, 

John Bull and friends thought it no crime. 
The pretty sight to see, sir, 
Oh ! Covent-Garden ; delightful Covent-Gar- 
den ; 
What is the talk of all the town, but go see 
Covent-Garden. 

Away they went, through thick and thin, 
Before they op'd the doors, sir ; 

And then with all their force rush'd in, 
Almost like Russian boors, sir. 
f 5 



10S 



THE O. P. WAR. 



When he got in, indeed he saw 

The prices had been raised, 
At which he open'd wide his maw, 
Confoundedly amazed. 
Oh ! Covent-Garden ; ah ! paw, paw, Covent- 
Garden ; 
You should not do such naughty tricks, I tell 
you, Covent-Garden, 

Od'zounds, says he, is this your trick, 

Am I to be thus cheated ? 
But of this way, I'll make you sick, 

Until they are abated ! 
With rattles, horns, and bells I'll ring, 

Nor will I be more civi]. 
While Madam Cat. persists to sing, 

You may go to the devil. 
Oh ! Catalani ; you squalling Catalani ; 
You'd best go back to France to squall, my dear 

friend, Catalani. 



John Bull unto his word so true, 
Was there again next night, sir ; 

This scurvy trick to make them rue, 
He tried with all his might, sir, 



THE O. P. WAR. 107 

His horns he blew, his rattles sprung. 
And cried oat, Nothing New, sir • 
Says he, my bells shall e'er be rung, 
While cats and kittens mew, sir. 
Oh ! Catalani ; you perverse Catalani ; 
I pray you don't infest us here, but pack off 
Catalani. 

He grew so rude, that on there came 

A man dress'd out in black, sir; 
You sure must know him well by name, 

'Twas Seven Shilling Jack, sir. 
He try'd John Bull to pacify, 

But he could not be heard, sir ; 
John kindly to his friends did cry, 

Boy ! shall I dress your " Bird;" sir, 
Oh ! Jackey Kemble ; renown'd Jackey Kem- 

ble; 
You ne'er perform'd your part so well, for now 

you really tremble. 

This did the great man so enrage, 
He muster'd all his force, sir ; 

The thief. takers came on the stage, 
And threatened treatment coarse sir, 



108 THE O. P. WAR. 

He e'en the trap-doors plac'd in view, 

And pointed down below, sir, 
He said these holes were made for you, 
And thither you shall go, sir. 
Oh! Johnny Kemble; redoubted Johnny Kern. 

ble; 
I dare say they do fear you much, redoubted 
Johnny Kemble. 

His threats also in vain were spent — 

John Bull stood out John Kemble, 
And when he found John's true intent, 

He thought fit to dissemble. 
Six days in this way having past, 

Poor Jack in earnest swore, sir, 
Since John Bull to his word held fast, 

He'd open shop no more, sir. 
Oh ! Johnny Kemble ; unlucky Johnny Kem. 

ble; 
I'm sure I pity much your fate, unlucky Johnny 

Kemble. 



THE O. P. WAR. 109 

THE O. P. HOP SHOP. 

John Kemble and Co. keep a shop, 

None beat them in taking of money ; 

In merry customers hop, 

Who wish to see something that's funny O. 

Marrow bo, marrow bo Betty. 

There's lately been got up a dance, 
Call'd O. P. triumphant for ever O ; 

Its over the benches to prance, 

'Tis the essence of all that is clever O. 

Marrow bo, marrow bo Betty. 

'Gainst the terms of their patent 'tis clear, 
They've built round the house private boxes O, 

Which they let to the Dons by the year, 

Who toy with their often-chang'd doxies O. 
Marrow bo, marrow bo Betty. 

But John Bull ever watching his right, 
Disapprov'd in a tone loud as thunder O, 

He swore that he'd resist every night, 

'Till Jack and his colleagues knock Vi under O. 
Marrow bo 5 marrow bo Betty. 



110 THE O. P. WAR* 

Let's give to each O. P. a toast, 

Who've been us'd by the traps so uncivil O ; 
As for Brandon, the Jews, and the Post, 

We'll kick them headlong to the devil O. 

Marrow bo ? marrow bo Betty. 

These curious songs which now are bought, 
By and by will eagerly be sought. 
And for this reason, sir, I thought. 
They'd be acceptable to you— 
Hereafter more — so now 

Adieu. 



THE O. P. WAR. I 11 

LETTER XIII. 

(in continuation) 

This week began with Richard Three^ 
The farce the Quaker. — Still O. P. 
By many in the pit was worn, 
To hold new prices up to scorn. 

A GRAND THEATRIC MEDAL,* which 

In workmanship is very rich, 



* The following is a description of this grand thea- 
trical medal : 

Obverse. 
An allegorical head, illustrative of folly and avarice, 
encircled with this motto — 

** This is the Jew which Shakspeare drew." 

BeU- b. 
" V. P." (Vox Populi). " No Private Boxes." 

Circular Motto, 
** Avarice and titled lust alone we blame, 
Yet blush we must, for 'tis a nation's shame.' 

Reverse. 
" What do you want?" " O. P. O. B. D. P. O." 

(i. e. Old Prices — Open Boxes — and Deference to 
Public Opinion). 

These were wreathed in a garhmd of oak ; at foot, the 
rattle and trumpet. 

Circular Motto. 
11 The Drama's laws the Drama 's patrons give, 
And he who lives to please, should please to live." 



112 THE O. P. WAR. 

Hung from a ribbon round the neck^ 
And many a waistcoat serv'd to deck. 
Hostilities had not yet ceased. 
But on the contrary increased. 
And droll manoeuvres too were used, 
"Which some displeas'd, and some amus'd. 
One of the Pittites quiet sat 
With a red cap on, 'stead of hat— 
Another, in a different place, 
With a white nightcap hid his face. 
Both were inclined the peace to keep, 
As both appcar'd to go asleep. 
However, the managers, displeas'd, 
Had poor red nightcap quickly seiz'd 
By constables, he was indeed 
To Bow-street instantly convey'd. 
" How dare you, sir, presume to sit 
With that red cap on, in the pit ?" 
(The magistrate with frowns exclaim 'd) 
u I wonder you are not ashanVd." 
u Asham'd ! Not I — I hope I may, 
As well as others, see a play — 
I've been accustom'd, night and day, 
As folks can testimony bear, 
This cap upon my head to wear. 



THE O. P. WAR. 113 

Did I one hour then leave it off, 

My death might follow with a cough. " 

They now dismissal poor Mr. Nightcap, 

But did not dare to seize on white cap. 

The reason's plain — I'll toll you what : 

This gentleman had lost his hat, 

Some nights preceding, in a fray ; 

He swore it had been ta'en away : 

For he a very staunch O. P. 

Was by the eatchpoles known to be. 

To hiin they therefore had been rude, 

And so a scuffle soon ensued. 

They seiz'd him, he was held to bail — 

His murmurs were of no avail 

About his hat — for to be brief, 

He sought a warrant 'gainst the thief. 

U Who is the thief? — who stole your hat? 

I shall grant none till you tell that." 

'Twas thus the magistrate address'd, 

And thus refused him his request. 

At last he found it was in pop, 

At the three balls — a well-known shop. 

And as the pawnbroker alleged, 

By whom the beaver had been pledged, 

The magistrate made up his mind, 

The man who pawn'd it shou'd be fiVd ; 



114 



THE O. 



WAR. 



But still refus'd the applicant 

A warrant 'gainst the thief to grant. 

He to another then applied. 

But by another was denied— 

" I cannot grant what's been refus'd," 

Was now the language which was us'd. 

And owing to this etiquette, 

It seems no warrant he could get. 

Now after many a hiss and groan, 
Some new-invented bills were shown, 
But that which met most approbation. 
And caused the greatest exultation, 
Was a rude drawing, meant to be 
For Kemble in the pillory ! ! ! 
This motto on the top I noted — 
ii To guilty minds " (from Shakspeare quoted) 
A terrible example." — Below 
Was this inscription, you must know, 
u For keeping boxes of ill fame." 
On the reverse too of the same — 
" A wretched tumbril was the actor's stage ; 
We make improvements in the present age." 
The pit — the boxes — I declare, 
Placards abounded every where. 
" Defy that Brandon, and his hired crew 
To take, or ev'n lay hands on you, 
For d — n them, pay them if they do." 



THE O. P. WAR. 115 

u Kemble to cheat — 

Bennet to spy — 
White to ill-treat — 

Brandon to lie." 
u No longer Kemble gives delight. 
His pride is sickening to the sight — 
Since 'tis his will to fall — he must, 
Ashes to ashes — dust to dust." 
Among the other exhibitions — 
For peace, were offer'd these conditions : 
" Th' Old Prices they shall still adopt, 
All prosecutions shall be dropp'd. 
And Kemble too, of Covent-Garden, 

This play upon the letters two, 
O. P. was also held to view — 
u OPpose OPpressive Opulence," 
With all the rest you can dispense. 
Several sparrows were let loose ; 
Like telegraphs they were of use ; 
For labels to their necks had they, 
And thus each party did convey 
Their wishes to the other side, 
With which they faithfully complied. 
Much laughter and exultation 
Attended each communication. 



116 THE O. P. WAR. 

Indeed the tumult, at this present, 

I do assure you was incessant ; 

For they not only groan 'd and hiss'd on, 

But pelted In clod on and Lis ton. 

About the stage the apples rolTd — 

A proof they wou'd not be control'd.- 

Th,' Exile on Tuesday they went through, 
The Portrait of Cervantes too — 
Though thin the house, the O. P's endeavour 
To make as great a noise as ever. 
Among the exhibitions new, 
A pugilist was held to view ; 
" D. M. 'twas mark'd— below, " 0. P." 
Daniel Mendoza meant to be — 
K Be staunch to your cause — for Bow-street not 

caring, 
And you'll carry your point in spite of Main- 
waring." 
u King Kemble, and Harris, and Brandon, 

We boldly defy you all three. 
Our cause we will never abandon, 

Until you come down with O. P." 

Next Speed the Plough and the Blind Boy, 
Th' effect of both they did destroy. 
For though Chief Justice Mansfield thought, 
Th' O. P's. were really in fault, 



THE O. P. WAR. 117 

They still resolv'd to wag their tongue, 

And prove the managers <vere wrong: 

Indeed, so great this night the riot, 

A man was nearly murder'd by it. 

He had been taken up for dead — • 

A dreadful fracture on the head ! 

The magistrate of Bow-street said, 

If dead, indeed, th' O. P's. shou'd rue it, 

For they were accessaries to it; 

In short, my friend, he went on further — 

Their leaders shou'd be tried for murder! 

Why not the managers as well ? 

They help'd t' occasion what befel — 

And this thought all the gentlemen : 

For on the sixteenth, Thursday, when 

Romeo and Juliet was presented, 

And Hartford Bridge — the discontented 

The sixth commandment held to view. 

'Mong other placards there was too — 

|H A vile attempt at murder — oh !" 

This toast by an O. P. also — 

u May those whom we see 

Perch'd up in the (key). 

Our fine modest women to shock, 
Be serv'd for their pains, 
With such kind of stains, 

As will furnish new wards for the (lock). 19 



118 THE O. P. WAR. 

The key and lock, sir, I protest, 
By hieroglyphics were express'd. 
I likewise saw — u These private boxes 
Are for young cats and aged foxes." 

The Woodman^ and We fly by Nighty 
Were not attended with delight ; 
And the like fate the Cabinet 
And Child of Nature also met. 
A child of nature, it is said, 
Was in a car'cature display'd — 
A naked fair one 5 stretch'd at ease, 
And underneath the words were these — 
u The Private Boxes." Ladies started 
Thereat, and from their seats departed. 

Thus pass'd two months, and yet^ my friend. 
The contest was not near an end ; 
For more, much more, have I to tell, 
But 'till next post I'll hid 

Fareweh 



TKE O. P. WAR. 119 



LETTEU XIV. 



(in continuation) 

Now managers went on so far 

That it became a dreadful war — 

They o'er the town usurp'd a sway. 

And thought to spread around dismay ; 

Yes, my dear friend, such their ambition, 

Instead of making due submission, 

They show'd a stubborn disposition. 

They tried the force of law — in short, 

'Twas brought before the King's Bench Court 

And now th' Attorney Gen'ral mov'd 

To show, by affidavits prov'd, 

As he imagin'd, a just cause, 

Why they should not enforce the laws ; 

And, 'cording to those accusations, 

To issue crim'nat informo ^ons 

Against the O. P's. alias the rioters, 

Who so tormented the proprietors 

Of Covent-Garden. One of thcsa 

Said rioters, now styl'd O. P'i. 



120 THE O. P. WAR. 

Was Henry Clifford, barrister — 
Who, being so, he did aver, 
Was more to blame : quite sorry he, 
That one of Clifford's high degree 
Should in his hat wear an O. P. 
Four other persons now he nam'd, 
W^ho of their rozos shou'd be asham'd — 
A Mr. Weinholt (he, it was, 
Who 'bout his hat had made a noise) 
The rest were Savage, Ridley, Scott, 
Names which can never be forgot. 
The rule immediately was granted — 
>Twas all th' Attorney Gen'ral wanted : 
But what effect had this event ? 
It did not banish discontent. 

This night's performances they ruin — 

Romeo and Juliet and Don Juan. 

There still was noise, with intermissions — 

Still car'catures and exhibitions : 

But, Tuesday night, they were more quiet- 

Another cessation of the riot ; 

Yes, the Suspicious Husband their 

Was heard — Don Juan seen again. 

The British Press, in exultation, 

Said there was now a termination 

To this theatric altercation * 



THE O. P. WAR. 121 

Not so, for though the noise diminish'd, 
The battle was by no means finished. 
Though only one placard, 'tis said, 
And few O. P's. this night displayed, 
The war by no means had subsided — 
But John Bull was by prudence guided; 
While managers were pertinacious, 
He was resolv'd to be sagacious : 
Yet, spite of his dissimulation, 
He show'd at times his indignation — 
For when this night (a usual thing), 
Three cheers he order'd for the kingj 
To order too, he did not fail, 
Three hisses for excessive bail! 

The Exile did they next perform — 
And now there was a little storm ; 
At intervals they thus contriv'd, 
To show their spirit still survived. 
They gave Don Juan^ as before, 
And play'd it also two nights more. 
A piece consisting of dumb show 
They could not interrupt, you know. 
The managers, of this aware, 
Adopted it for this week's fare — 
For actors well could walk through this,. 
In spite of every groan and hiss ; 
G 



122 THE O. P. WAR* 

Yet still John Bull, not over civil, 
With Juan sometimes play'd the devil. 
Indeed, what now he relish'd most, 
Was throwing something at the ghost. 

On Thursday, by hir'd people's aid, 
They Each Man in his Humour play'd, 
With some degree of approbation — 
The cause indeed of exultation. 
And so, next night, 7%' way to get Married — 
The N. P's.* thought their point they'd carry'd; 
Yes, in the British Press I read 
Th' O. P's. were absolutely dead; 
So kind they were (too kind by half) 
They even gave their epitaph : 
As this occurr'd to recollection, 
It seem'd indeed a resurrection^ 
To meet th' O. P's. on Saturday — 
(The English Fleet was then the play) 
Assembling in the pit again, 
And singing their accustom'd strain. 
A pity they did not contrive 
To play that night " the Dead Alive ;" 
But Raising the Wind 'twas, I remember, 
This twenty-fifth day of November ; 



* New Prices. 



THE O. P. WAR. 123 

And I assure you 'twas a grand day, 
According to my memoranda — 
The fiftieth of the commotion ; 
And therefore some indulg'd a notion, 
Th' O. P's. had hitherto remain'd 
A little quiet and restrain'd, 
That they might now enjoy more glee, 
And celebrate a — Jubilee. 
The Press, as I already said, 
Having declar'd th' O. P's. were dead, 
A modern wit — such dearly love 
On other's fancies to improve — 
Told a long tale 3 about this time, 
Of a tremendous ghost, in rhyme. 
This in the Statesman was inserted, 
And as you'll be therewith diverted, 
I here transcribe it. faithfully : — 
'Tis calPd 



THE GHOST OF AN O. R 

November's drizzling dark fogs lower'd, 
And not a moon-beam shone ; 

Whilst weary mortals sleep o'erpower'd, 
The watchman cried — ;; Past one! 1 ' 



124 THE O. P. WAR. 

Raging, devoid of ease and rest, 
Sleep fled from Kemble's bed ; 

Tormenting passions rent his breast, 
And vengeance fill'd his head. 

When lo ! amidst the murky gloom 
He heard a mournful sound, 

And saw a pale-blue flame illume 
A mystic figure round. 

Its steps were slow, its breathing hard, 
One hand sustain'd a horn. 

Its brows display'd a fierce placard, 
In desperate scuffle torn. 

Tall was the sprite — a hissing noise 
Its near approach proclaim'd ; 

And Kemble, starting at the voice, 
In solemn tone exclaim'd — 

u Angels and ministers of grace ! * 
What do you want with me V 

Whilst terror blanch'd the actor's face, 
The spectre groan'd — O. P. 



* Hamlet. 



the o. p. war. t2ir 

Revolving his dragooning plan, 

Again the actor cried — 
ii Liv'st then, or art thou aught that man 

May ask ?" * The ghost replied — 

u No, Kemblc, it had better been, 

Hadst thou remain'd a priest, 
And only Douay's college seen 3 

A Jesuit eonfest, 

u Then had thy solemn tones deceiv'd 

With apostolic gains, 
Nor then for herds and ditches griev'd* 

Nor yet for broken panes A 

il There too thy avarice and pride, 

Would have had room to scope, 
And with o'erweening talents tried, 

Perhaps have made thee — Pope. 

" And well the crosier in thy hand 

Had made the world obey, 
Though then, as now, would Britons stand 

Erect to spurn thy sway. 



* Macbeth. 

+ Alluding to the windows which were broken in Mr, 
Kemble's bouse about this time. 



126 THE O. P. WAR. 

u Kemble, in vain with r'age you burn, 

You can't escape from me, 
And wheresoe'er your eyes you turn. 

You meet my name — O. P. 

" But still John Bull, so kind of hearty 

The olive branch extends. 
And penitence becomes your part^ 

Then all contention ends. 

" Oh, Kemble! obstinate and proud, 

Let avarice yield to me, 
Humbly submit you to the crowd, 

And re-instate O. P. 



u Bethink you of the wretch's fate, 

His obloquy and shame, 
Who dares to brave the public hate, 

Whose gen'ral censure's blame. 

a Already object of their scorn, 
In vain you hide from me ; 

But know the rattle and the horn 
Will designate O. P. 



THE O. P. WAR. 127 

" For years to come the dolorous sound 

Will thrall through either ear. 
And trembling you will look around, 

Although O. P's. not near. 

" The hoot and hiss in every breath, 

Will make you start and stare, 
As did the regicide Macbeth, 

When Banquo filPd the chair, 

u Like Hotspur's* startlings, will be taught 

To hollow out O. P. 
Your sleep in fancy will be fraught 

With groanings three times three, 

u When musing in soliloquy, 

You'll say and strive to clasp- — 
6 Is this a rattle that I see ?' + 

'Tis air-drawn from your grasp. 

r< Kemble, 'tis interest bids submit, 

Restore me, and you will 
Find old price galleries, boxes, pit, 

Your house and pockets fill. 

* Henry IV* t Macbeth. 



128 THE O. P. WAR. 

u Now ruin stares you in the face, 
To empty seats you'll play ; 

And then too late will you retrace 
That avarice held the sway. 

%i Why, know you not the adage old, 
* Grasp all, lose all,' 'tis true; 

And gen'rous Britons yet are bold, 
Oppression can't subdue. 

" For think you that we'll stand in awe 

Of hireling traps of Bow ; 
Or that the fear inspiring law. 

Can calm the mighty row. 

u No! Britons are on victory bent, 
They'll conquer and be free ; 

Then, Kemble, yet in time repent, 
And re-instate O. P." 

Thus spake the ghost in solemn tones, 
And whirl'd the rattle round ; 

Then vanish'd in repeated groans, 
Whilst yells and hisses sound. 



THE O. P. WAR. 129 

That the 0. P's. existed still, 
Depend upon it find you will — 
There need no ghost to come and tell us 
That they were resolute brave fellows, 
Determin'd not to quit the field 
'Till managers were forc'd to yield. 
But to conclude 'tis now expedient, 
And so, 



Dear sir, 



Your most obedient. 



*5 



130 



THE 0. P, WAIU 



LETTER XV. 

(in continuation) 

And now, November twenty-seven,. 
The managers brought bills eleven 
'Fore the grand inquest. — Only three 
Rejected were — and yet, we see, 
This tended not to make folk quiet. 
But rather to increase the riot. 
The Roman Father and Don Juan 
Began the week. — Spite of all doing 
By lawyers, managers, to tame 
John Bull — the bull more mad became ; 
Nor was his noble spirit shaken, 
Although the rule which had been taken 
By Gibbs,* respecting this dispute, 
On Tuesday was made absolute. 



* About this time Sir Vicary Gibbs, the Attorney 
General, during a consultation on this important subject^, 
made use of the following quotation from Ovid, which 
was reckoned an excellent pun on the O. P's. 

« Effodiuntur Opes, irritamenta malorunu" 



THE O. P. WAR. 131 

This week the murmurs of the crowd 

Were always deep — but never loud — 

Indeed, for this they had good reason, 

For those whom constables did seize on 

For noise , to Bow-street were convey 'd — 

And as the magistrates agreed 

Not after nine o'clock to sit, 

Of course the watch-house was deem'd fit 

To be their lodging for that night. 

Where, whether it was wrong or right, 

To hiss — to hoot — to dance O. P. 

I think you'll readily agree 

That thus they paid for their night's pleasure. 

Above all reasonable measure. 

As nothing happen'd for a week, 

Of which 'tis requisite to speak, 

I now must quit the month November, 

For the first Tuesday in December. 

But that my work complete may be, 

Dear sir, you in a note may see 

A faithful journal* of the plays 

For all the intermediate days. — 



Tuesday, Nov. 28. — ScJiool for Prejudice — Don Juan* 
Wednesday, - 29.-— Exile— Is he a Prince ? 
Thursday, - 30.— Roman Father— Don Juan. 



132 THE O. P. WAPw 

Now on the Mth at four o'clock. 
The managers received a shock — 
Yes, friend, they by a British jury 
Were sadly frighten'd, I assure you. 
For Clifford now sought satisfaction. 
And against Brandon brought his action 
For false imprisonment and assault — 
It was indeed a double fault. 
Now in the Court of Common Pleas 
Were tried the rights of the O. P. ? s. 
Of counsel, it must be confess'd, 
That Mr. Clifford had the Best— 
Yes, Serjeant Best began the cause — 
His speech will meet with your applause. 
u Now, gentlemen, all of you know 
About a little while ago, 
The managers of Covent-Garden 
Re-built their house — I beg your pardon 
For taking up your time, to tell 
What you already must know well; 
So on this part I shall not dwell. 



Friday, Dec. - 1. —A Cure for the Heart ache- 
Jubilee. 
Saturday, - 2.— English Fleet— Who wins? 
Monday, - - Z.—OthellQ^-JDon Juan. 



THE O. P. WAR. 133 

No — I'll be brief — yes, gentlemen. 

As brief as possible. — Well then 

I'll go, gentlemen, if you please, on — 

They opened, early in the season 

As usual, for acting plays — 

But first thought proper they to raise 

The Boxes and the Pit — and yet 

The boxes best per year were let. 

This, gentlemen, you'll all agree 

Should in no English playhouse be — 

All seats should to the town be free. 

What ? private boxes ! Yes, sirs — private ! 

The managers at vice connive at. 

And still to render them more odious, 

These had apartments quite commodious. 

The company might then retire 

To chat — to do what they desire. — 

Here parties might intrigue — anon, 

This house the place be of crtm. con. 

To immorality devoted, 

And thus adult'ry be promoted. 

Oh ! fie for shame ! — we all must own, 

That ev'ry part should to the town, 

Boxes especially, be free — 

Why should Lord A. or Lady B. 



134 TfiE O. P. WAR. 

For this and each succeeding night 

To a monopoly claim right ? — 

The town have right to take their places ,* 

And, gentlemen, this too the case is : 

Whene'er the King goes to a play — 

He takes his box, as I may say — 

To none, exclusively, lays claim, 

For you next night may have the same, 

But to proceed — for still I say 

Your time I wish not to delay : 

They, dreading a just opposition 

To the new prices of admission — 

Mark, sirs, for here hangs a good deal— 

They to the town made an appeal — 

Well, sirs— -of course then all were bid 

To speak their mind — and so they did. 

Why bid to speak their mind ?— By this 

They had a right to clap or hiss — 

Why take their hisses then amiss ? 

The critics clap when they approve^ 

And managers such tumult love. 



* It is usual for people early in the day to seed to the 
Box-keeper to bespeak places, who consequently has 
them kept till the end of the first act — but as this custom 
has been much abused by the servants of the house, who 
pretend that places are taken when the contrary is a fact, 
this theatrical law ought to be repealed. 



THE O. P. WAR. 135 

But when they have an inclination 

To publish their disapprobation. 

They hiss — aad sirs, I must insist, 

Had I been there, I might have hiss'cL 

A hiss is No — a clap is Yes — 

Are they then rioters for this ? 

As hisses though had no effect 

The imposition to correct, 

Some gentlemen did then agree 

To put into their hats O. P. 

And this my client did — what then ? 

It was an answer, gentlemen, 

To the proprietors' appeal — 

It briefly said u I do not feel 

Satisfied with your prices new," 

And this it said in letters two. 

Was this illegal ? — then if so, 

The managers were wrong you know 

To ask the question — for, in short, 

The public's answer they did court — 

They gave their answer — and why for 't 

Should they now be by the proprietors 

Held up and stigmatiz'd as rioters ? 

I am, gentlemen of the jury, 

A nervous man I do assure you, 



136 THE O. P. WAR. 

Yet I, in justice now, must say, 
I went to Covent.Garden play. 
These rioters though did no harm. 
They gave me not the least alarm — 
I did not feel at all dismay'd. 
Nor of their riots was afraid. 
I went to the two shilling gallery, 
And do assure you without raillery,. 
That many who were there, in vain 
A view endeavoured to obtain — 
And when they did, 'twas a half view. 
Yes, sirs, it was like peeping through 
A telescope that was inverted — 
This can by several be asserted. 
Of course the gall'ry some must quit, 
Perhaps to go into the pit. 
But here, sirs, mark the imposition. 
It is four shillings the admission. 
The price of boxes too is rais'd, 
At which you well may be amaz'd ; 
When all the best are yearly let, 
For which the managers must get 
A sum, I will be bold to say, 
That their expences will defray. 
By such manoeuvres, gross and latent, 
They've justly forfeited the patent.. 



THE O. P. WAR 137 

And ev'ry body has a right — 

At any playhouse — any night, 

T' express his censure or delight. 

My client though was very quiet, 

He never stirr'd — he made no riot; 

He only wore, sirs, an O. P. 

To show that he did not agree 

To this theatrical taxation — 

Thus he convey 'd his indignation ; 

Without a murmur or a hiss — 

Yet, sirs, the box-keeper for this, 

A servant to the house, was pleas'd 

T' insist upon his being seiz'd — 

To bid a Bow-street officer 

Lay hands upon a — barrister. 

Yes, sirs, he took him by surprise, 

And Mr. Brandon d — d his eyes. 

To Bow-street he was ta'en indeed — 

Examin'd before Mr. Read — 

The witness here insisted that 

He wore an O. P. in his hat — 

This, sirs, my client did admit, 

He wore these letters in the pit, 

As well he might — if he thought fit. 

You know at times, sirs, of elections, 

(To which there have been no objections) 



1SS 



THE 0. P. WAR* 



That by each party is display'd 

On those occasions a cockade. 

These mark'd cockades, it is agreed, 

To serious altercations lead : 

Yet are the wearers apprehended 

As rioters ? — Yet 'tis pretended. 

Forsooth ! my client was a rioter, 

Than whom no man cou'd have been 

quieter. 
A rioter ? — how can that be 3 
By his exhibiting O. P. ? 
But witness, sirs, *vyho had his eye on r t ? 
Declar'd in Bow-street that my client 
T' assist the altercation tried. 
But this my client, sirs, denied. 
And added — u Let the witness pray, 
Make oath of what he's pleas'd to say.'* 
But no — he would not swear to this, 
Had he presum'd the book to kiss- 
He knew, sirs, by anticipation, 
That he should meet an elevation — 
An elevation, I engage, 
More high than Covent-Garden stage. 
No charge was sworn — so Mr. Read, 
The magistrate, of course agreed, 
That Mr. Clifford should be freed. 



THE O. I\ \\ All. 139 

Here's an assault — a capture too. 

And all for what ? Therefore to you 

He looks for damages — his due, 

For a false capture, an assault, 

Without committing any fault. 

Gentlemen of the jury, now 

A compensation pray allow; 

That servants may hereafter know 

They have no right to behave so. 

What ! shall a box-keeper intrude, 

And be to gentlemen so rude ? 

You cannot, sirs, be too severe ; 

He had no right to interfere. 

Hence let him know his proper station, 

And only mind his occupation. 

It is his duty to obey — 

And not to arrogate a sway ; — 

His duty people to receive, 

And due accommodation give — 

Provide them places, as is meet, 

But not to take them to Bow- street." 

The witnesses did now appear — 

Th' assault arid capture were made clear. 

Then Serjeant Shepherd^ for defendant, 
Made a fine speech — he did contend in't, 



140 THE Or Pr W^Rr 

'* The managers had a just right 

To raise their prices — that they might r 

Their patent show'd— and it was clear. 

That if they pleas'd they might per year 

Their boxes to the gentry let. 

For whatsoever they cou'd get. 

They built the house— it was their own. 

As could by their receipts be shown. 

Their servant Brandon had just reason* 

The riotous O. F.'s to seize on* 

It was the signal of a riot— 

The plaintiff an abettor by it. 

It is confess'd he wore 0. P. 

And therefore an abettor he — 

By wearing it their cause he aided. 

Himself, as barrister, degraded. 

Should one of his high dignity 

Have put into his hal O. P. ? 

Indeed, I do not think 'twas fit 

That he — a barrister — should sit 

In such a place, sirs, as the pit." 

To this effect he spoke — and now 

Some cursory remarks allow : 

The managers, it is well known, 
Have built the house — it is their own- 
But still 'tis subject to the town. — - 



TKG O. P. WAR. 141 

And where's, my friend, the degradation 

Of sitting in the pit? a station, 

Which to the boxes I prefer, 

And where I've seen, I must aver, 

Many an exalted character. 

It was, without a blush, confest 

By 'tother counsel, Serjeant Best^ 

That in the gall'ry he had been ; 

Of course a barrister was seen 

(I think you'll readily admit) 

In a much worse place than the pit. 

But to proceed — th' evidence clos'd; 

The judge * summ'd up, but he oppos'd 

Th' O. P's. — the managers defended — 

And in a speech of length contended 

To raise their prices they'd a right — 

To let their boxes too they might 

Per year ; for none, wou'd he allow, 

In playhouses shou'd make a row. 

Whoever rais'd an opposition 

To the new prices of admission, 

Undoubtedly a riot bred — 

And should be punish'd too, he said; 

* Sir James Mansfield. 



14t 



THE O. P. WAR. 



For those who did not choose to pay 
The prices new, might stay away ; 
In short, my friend, he went so far 
As to run down the O. P. war. 
The jury for awhile retir'd 
To ponder, as they were desir'd. 
The judge, in the meantime, address'd 
The multitude and Serjeant Best : — 
" I fear your words may lead astray 
The ignorant; but, sirs, I say 
That in a playhouse 'tis amiss 
To make a noise — to hoot and hiss- 
It is illegal — so take care, 
And of the consequence beware." 
But Serjeant Best still persever'd, 
And to his arguments adher'd. 
But at this time return'd the jury, 
And for the plaintiff, I assure you, 
They gave a verdict — yes — Five Pounds !** 
i{ Eh!" cried the judge, "Upon what ground- : ,? 
The foreman said, that the arrest 
Illegal was, they all confess'd ; 
And that they also did agree, 
To criminate a man would be 
Too harsh for wearing an O. P. 



THE O. P. WAR. 143 

Yes! it would be an innovation 
Upon our rights — a violation 
Of liberty throughout the nation. 
The judge now all astonish'd star'd — 
P The consequences," he declar'd, 
9 Of this, your verdict, sirs, I dread -;" 
And hereupon he shook his head. 
But I forgot, I should have said, 
That when the damages were found, 
The hall with shoutings did resound — 
Lord Ellenborough,* it appears, 
Clapp'd both his hands upon his ears. 

A little, sir, before the din, 
Came Kemble and young Harris in; 
The former a subpoena got — 
But was he call'd for ? — He was not! 
No — 'twas a trick, I would be sworn, 
T' expose him to the people's scorn. 
No sooner enter'd he the hall, 
Than he was recognis'd by all ; 
No sooner was the verdict found, 
i Than him did all the boys surround — 



* Lord F.llenboroii2:h was summing up at that moment 
in the Court of King's Bench, but was obliged to stop, 
unible to hear himself. 



144 THE O. P. WAR* 

Behind, before, on every side, 
O. P.— O. P. they loudly cry'd : 
On every stone o'er which he walk'd, 
O. P.— O. P.— O. P. was chalk'd. 

And now, my friend, I beg your pardon 
For keeping you from Covent-Garden 
So long; but still 'tis my intention 
This night's performances to mention — 
To tell you how th' O. P's. contended, 
And how, at length, the battle ended ; 
But as so long my present letter, 
These subjects to postpone I'd better : 
Then, 'till I write to you again, 
Your humble servant I remain. 



THE O. P. WAR. 145 



LETTER XVI. 



(in continuation) 



Spite of the judge's free advice, 
Now to the playhouse, at half price, 
The O. P's. hasten'd, to annoy 
The Beggars' Opera and Blind Boy. 
They hooted, shouted, sneez'd, and cough'd- 
They hiss'd, they ridicul'd, and scoff'd. 
No catchpoles enter'd now the place r 
And even Brandon hid his face. 
Th' O. P's. their penny rattles sprung — 
The house with horns and whistles rung. 
What skirmishes ! — they ran about 
The pit and made a furious rout. 
Indeed, the officers, I hear, 
Were all afraid to interfere : 
The magistrates, 'tis also said, 
Of their commitments were afraid. 
H 



146 THE O. P. WAR. 

Of none were the O. P's. in dread — 

Abundance of placards they spread — 

'Mong which the following I read. 

cc Keep up the contest still with fury." 

66 Huzza for Clifford and a Jury !" 

" We're Hearts of Oak — steady, boys, steady, 

To turn out ruffians always ready." 

" Shall pride and avarice bear the sway?" 

K Shall Britons, boys, give up the day?" 

Now plenty of O. P's. they wore, 

And of white nightcaps half a score ; 

This was a costume, you remember, 

Was started early in November. 

Now vocal noises did abound — 

They beat O. P. upon the ground — 

And every part they made resound. 

Some halfpence threw they on the stage, 

As testimonies of their rage ; 

In short, my friend, they did endeavour 

To make more noise to night than ever. 
Now to December eight I come — 

Th 5 Merchant of Venice and Tom Thumb, 

The hurly burley was the same, 

Or else more violent became. 

The antics which they now went through 

Were more extravagant to view : — 



THE O. P. WAR. 14T 

A Mr. Shakespeare* too (a name 
Of very great dramatic fame) 
Contributed to this night's sport — 
His dress was of a curious sort. 
He in the pit demurely sat. 
With M. P.— O. P. in his hat; 
But, sir, to add to his renown, 
He'd on a barr'ster's wig and gown. 
Though quietly he took his seat, 
The noise was consequently great. 
He for the frolic was extoll'd — 
A second Daniel + was he call'd ; 
But soon to Bow-street was convey'd, 
And then oblig'd his cause to plead. 

Like rage on Saturday they vented, 
Upon which night were represented 
Th' Exile and Portrait of Cervantes ; 
Most violent, indeed, the rant was — 
For horns, rattles, whistles sounded, 
And every kind of noise abounded. 
Some put on masks, and others white caps, 
For these were fashionable nightcaps. 



* Son of Shakespeare the member of Parliament. 

+ The appellation given by Shylock to Portia, in the 
Merchant of Venice, which was then performed. 



148 THE O. P. WAR. 

Now several false noses wore, 

All pimples and carbuncles o'er : 

Thus 'fore the curtain they perform'd — 

They hooted, shouted, bellow'd, storm'd. 

This evening to their exhibitions 

I witness'd several additions ; 

But so obscene, 'twou'd not be fit, 

The words to paper to commit : 

One, much applauded though, I saw — 

Ci Th' voice of the people the first law." 

'Twas thus, my friend, th 7 O. P's. contended, 

And thus the week in tumult ended. 

And now I claim awhile your patience, 
As fain I'd make some observations. 
Already you have been appriz'd, 
They for subscriptions advertis'd; 
For 'tween themselves th' O. P's. agreed, 
To succour all their friends in need — 
Particularly those in jail, 
Who'd there been sent for want of bail ; 
And thus with cash they were supplied, 
'Till the indictments shou'd be tried. 
By means too of these contributions, 
They enter'd into resolutions 
Of carrying on some prosecution* 



THE O. P. WAR. 149 

Against the managers — so that 
They now were playing tit for tat. 
The list encreas'd too very fast — 
A good large sum it was at last ; 
You'll say, a thousand pities though, 
To lawyers all this cash shou'd go ; 
But weren't the managers the blockheads, 
Who thus took pains to fill their pockets ? 
Were they not very much in faulty 
Th' enlightcn'd public to assault ? 
Were they not all along to blame. 
And why not suffer for the same ? 
Yes, the subscribers claim'd applause. 
For aiding thus the public cause. 
'Twas very proper, very right, 
To guard 'gainst managerial spite — 
To parry off the blows they aim'd, 
And make them in the end asham'd. 
The O. P's. as you perceive, my friend, 
Had every thing to apprehend ; 
For managers (I don't know how 
But very strange it was I vow) 
By all the folk in pow'r were join'd — 
As judges, magistrates, combin'd 
To favor their unjust pretences, 
And critic's rights to make offences ; 



150 THE O. P. AVAR. 

For hitherto they bore the sway— 

They had a right at every play 

Applause or censure to proclaim, 

As actors are a " lawful game." 

How could they then resist such fury, 

But by applying to a jury ? 

5 Twas thus th' O. P's. their rights maintain'd, 

For why shou'd critics be restrain'd? 

Let the Attorney Gen'ral read 

Our prologues,* and he'll find, indeed, 

That critics have been held the masters 

Of managers and poetasters ; 

At any new play's condemnation, 

How dreadful the vociferation — 

In thunder have they not repell'd ? 

Yet this no riot has been held. 

And why should not the public still 

Enjoy this right to speak their will? 

For thus, by all dramatic laws, 

They spoke their censure and applause. 



* Several extracts from old prologues were given in 
the newspapers, asserting the rights of critics, particularly 
the following : — 

M Be this at least his praise, be this his pride — 
" To force applause no modern arts are tried ; 
" Shou'd partial cat-calls all his hopes confound, 
" He bids no trumpet quell the fatal sound." 

Prologue to Irene., 



THE O. P. WAR. 151 

But matters now were so arrang'd, 
That u stern alarms" were to be chang'd 
To u merry meetings;" yes, indeed, 
Th> O. P's. among themselves agreed 
To dine together, as 'twas plann'd : 
The Crown and Anchor, in the Strand, 
Was where this entertainment grand 
Was to be giv'n, and every member 
To meet the fourteenth of December. 
They issued cards * of invitation, 
Requesting a deliberation — 
All for the good, sir, of the nation. 
The managers were now dismay'd — 
They of the cause were sore afraid ; 
The verdict of a British jury 
Had made them pause, I do assure you. 



* The following is a copy of one of the cards : — 
" No. 100. No. 105. 

" The real Friends of the British Drama, and 
Rep robaters of Managerial Insolence and Bru- 
tality, will dine together at the Crown and Anchor 
Tavern, Strand, on Thursday, the 14th of December, 
1809. 

"Tickets 12s. 6d. each, to be had at the Bar of the 
Tavern {other references). 

" Dinner on Table at 5 o' Clock precisely. 

« J. P " 
[A Seal]. 



152 THE O. P. WAR. 

To desperation they were driven 
By the five pounds which had been given 
Against Brandon ; while the other party 
Were all good-humor'd, gay, and hearty. 
This verdict too became, ere long, 
The subject of a comic song ; 
Which, as belonging to my story, 
I here think fit to lay before you. 



KING JOHN WAS A MANAGER. 

King John was a r^anager mighty and high — 

Hey populorum jig, 
He built private boxes, the devil knows why — 

Hey populorum jig. 
There lords and gay madams were shewing their 

scorns, 
But soon the fine managers drew in their horns; 

With battle 'em, rattle 'em, 

Fiddle dum, diddle dum, 

Spurn him out, turn him out, 

Kemble, O ! tremble, O ! 
Hey populorum jig. 



THE O. P. WAR. J53 

Then down our poor throttles new prices to 
cram. 
Hey populorum jig. 
He hired Mendoza, he hired Dutch Sam, 

Hey populorum jig. 
O, wonderful story ! O, wonderful news ! 
John Kemble, the Papist, in league with the 
Jews. 
With his battle 'em, &c. 



John Bull is the civilest creature alive, 

Hey populorum jig, 
A baby may lead, but the devil can't drive, 

Hey populorum jig ; 
Says he to the alphabet right merrily, 
Pray lend us your capital letters O. P. 

For a battle 'em, &c. 

As sly as a fisherman Brandon arose — 

Hey populorum jig. 
He angled for P's. and he bobb'd for the O's. 

Hey populorum jig : 
He fish'd up poor Clifford just like a dead cat, 
Because he had got an O. P. in his hat. 

With his battle 'em, &c. 
II 5 



154: THE 0. P. WAR. 

He found his mistake, and he trembled with fear. 

Hey populorum jig, 
Because he had hook'd the wrong sow by the 
ear. 
Hey populorum jig. 
Poor Kemble look'd dull as a man in the stocks, 
And Jemmy Box-Keeper was in the wrong 
box. 
With his battle 'em, &c. 

When next Mister Kemble he acts in Macbeth, 

Hey populorum jig, 
I think that the town will be in at the death, 

Hey populorum jig. 
And whenever a box-keeper passes his bounds^ 
I hope that a jury will give us five pounds, 

For our battle 'em, &c. 

And now, in a few days at most — 
I trust 'twill be by the next post — 
I shall, my dearest friend, be able 
To take you to the O. P. table ; 
You'll be astonish'd, I declare, 
At the events which happen'd there. 
But to anticipated unfair — 
The whole, at proper time, I'll tell, 
'Till when I must repeat fareweh 



THE O. P. WAR, 155 



LETTER XVII. 



(in continuation) 

Indeed, my friend, I'm in such haste 

To take you to the O. P. feast — 

That I must pass over three days. 

But underneath I give the plays 

Which were perform'd.* — Now Harris, Kem- 

ble, 
(I must observe^ began to tremble. 
Each night their house was very thin, 
And few the orders they sent in — 
The row, of course, as you may guess, 
Was sometimes more, and sometimes less. 
One moment it would calm remain, 
But soon the storm return'd again. — 



Monday, Dec. 11. — Woodman and Don Juan. 
Tuesday, > — 12. — John Bull and Farmer. 
Wednesday, - 13. — Every Man in his Humour and 
Oscar and Malvina. 






156 THE O. P. WAR. 

Let's leave though these unhappy devils, 
And mingle with the O. P. revels. — 
On Thursday, in the afternoon, 
The company assembled soon ; 
The Crown and Anchor overflowed, 
And very thickly they were stowed : 
You cannot wonder when you're told, 
Five hundred tickets had been sold ; 
And as some gentlemen presided, 
The best of viands were provided. 
Yes, I assure you, that the food, 
And ev'n the wine, were very good. 
Distinguish'd characters were there, 
And Henry Clifford grae'd the chair 
All was harmony, on my word, 
For smiles adorn'd the festive board. 
Soon as the cloth was ta'en away, 
The President rose up to say — 
He Mr. Kemble saw that day ; 
And thus continued his oration — 
" Sirs, in the course of conversation, 
The gentleman a wish express'd 
T' attend this meeting — but confess'd 
He of rough treatment was in dread 5 
On which immediately I said : 



THE O. P. WAR. 157 

I'll take upon me to insure 

His safety — he should be secure — 

Thus, in the name of all the meeting, 

I've promis'd him a cordial greeting. 

And as his presence now may tend 

All animosities to end, 

I trust, as I have giv'n my promise, 

He'll meet no foul invectives from us." 

M No ! no!" they cried — " we shall refrain 

From scoffs — decorum we'll maintain." 

The Chairman now was loudly cheer'd, 

And Mr. Kemble soon appcar'd — 

With great respect all round he bovv'd, 

And happy seem'd he was allow'd 

To take a scat — the Chairman then 

Resumed his theme — u Now, gentlemen, 

I'll tell you, for I'll not dissemble, 

What pass'd 'tween me and Mr. Kemble: 

He said that he was much distrest 

To find, as had been manifest 

This season, so much hostile rage 

Between the public and the stage — 

He wish'd hostilities might cease ; 

He wish'd for the return of peace : 

And said that he and colleagues too, 

Wou'd ev'ry thing in their pow'r do 



158 THE O. P. WAR. 

To make up matters, and restore 

Tranquillity as heretofore — 

And this much sooner in the season 

They wou'd have done — but then the reason^ 

Th' attempt so long had been delay'd. 

Was that they did not know, he said. 

Where application should be made. 

However, as it had been plann'd, 

To call this meeting in the Strand, 

The managers, as well they might, 

Consider'd 'twould be very right 

This opportunity to take, 

And due concessions here to make. 

I, sirs, have Mr. Kemble told. 

That bringing in of ruffians bold, 

The public to insult and beat, 

Was deem'd a trespass very great. 

The private boxes did I mention, 

As further cause of the contention. 

I said that he and his colleagues 

Might term them boxes for intrigues/' 

Th' applause was great now from the crowd, 

And J' Hear him ! hear him !" cried they 

loud. 
Thus went the speech on from the chair — 
" Sirs, Mr. Kemble did declare. 



THE O. P. WAR. 159 

The magistrates, upon his word, 
Had acted of their own accord — 
Nor knew he, till tlT account he read, 
That they had dar'd the stage to tread. 
He said his colleagues would agree 
Th' private boxes should be free — 
And that for these and like transgressions. 
They now would make all due concessions, 
Now, gentlemen, that we're victorious, 
Let us that victory make glorious, 
By being to the vanquish'd kind — 
To easy terms let's be inclin'd — 
Let's not, I pray, impose too much, 
For John Bull's character is such, 
That though zorongJieaded sometimes he, 
Wrong-hearted he can never be, 
I think to drop all prosecutions 
Should be among our resolutions." 
A gentleman, one Mr. File, 
Now begg'd attention for awhile — 
The best conditions to be made 
On John Bull's part were these he said — 
u The pit as usual, aud no more, 
The private boxes as before — 
And Brandon, as he did persist 
In insolence should be dismiss'd. 



160 - THE O. P. WAR. 

The managers should to the town 
Apologize for what they'd done." 
By acting thus with due submission. 
And testifying their contrition. 
The boxes, it was his advice, 
Should then remain at th' new price. 
This speech now met with approbation, 
It was receiv'd with acclamation. 
A toast — The Subjects' 1 Liberty — 
They also drank with three times three : 
While Mr. Kemble acquiesc'd 
With the proposals — but confess'd 
He could not promise the condition 
Exacting Brandon's quick dismission, 
Till with his partners he'd conferr'd ; 
But would, he solemnly averr'd, 
To them most strongly recommend 
By no objections to offend. 
iC Sir," now exclaim'd a mal-content, 
u By boxes as before is meant. 
What they were seven years ago — 
Ere Mr. Kemble, as you know, 
On Covent-Garden stage appear'd." 
This hint was very loudly cheer'd. 
The chairman recommended now 
They shou'd a day or two allow 



THE O. P. WAR. 161 

The managers for consultation — 

But " No !" they cried, with indignation. 

They on delay plac'd no reliance. 

And call'd for a direct compliance. 

A toast* delighted now the throng, 

Which was succeeded by a song.f 

Another toast — The Stage — went round, 

And much good humour did abound. 

Some of the gentlemen retir'd 

To think what terms should be required. 

To the committee they belong'd, 

Who rais'd subscriptions, for the wrong'd 

To carry on the prosecutions ; 

They soon return'd with resolutions. J 



* The antient and indisputable rights of the Pit. 

+ By a Mr. Jones, who has sung at the Minor Theatre 
in Catherine-street, and since at the Sans Pareil, in the 
Strand. 

J " We presume that the public will be satisfied with 
this, if acceded to on the part of the proprietors this 
evening, viz. 

1. That the private boxes shall be reduced to the same 
state as they were in the year 1802. 

2. That the pit shall be 3s. 6d. — the boxes 7s. 

3. That an apology shall be made on ihe part of the 
proprietors to the public, and Mr. Brandon shall be dis- 
missed. 

4. That all prosecutions and actions on both sidej 
shall be quashed." 



162 THE O. P. WAR, 

But which were merely repetitions 
Of Mr. File's propositions — 
These now were read, sir, one by one. 
And all were carried too, nem. con. 
Then Mr. Kemble rose and said, 
That he much longer would have staid. 
But he was anxious to arrange 
The business for a happy change. — 
As from the bottom of his heart, 
He hop'd they all had play'd a part, 
Would for the past be compensation, 
And lay a permanent foundation 
For a good understanding 'tween 
The public and the mimic scene. 
For his kind treatment then he gave 
His thanks, and bowing took his leave. 
Some of the company remain'd 
Till every bottle had been drain'd ; 
Then at the play agreed to meet — 
Of which I in my next will treat* 






THE O. P. WAR. 163 



LETTER XVIII. 



(in conclusion) 



Now to the theatre we come — 

The Provoked Husband and Tom Thumb 

They play'd, but ere the farce began, 

About the house the tidings ran, 

That Kemble had th> O. P.'s attended, 

And that hostilities were ended. 

This victory, as it was ternVd, 

By Mr. Kemble was confirm'd. — 

u Ladies and gentlemen," he said, 

And a respectful bow he made — 

M I must, however, I confess, 

Apologise for this my dress ;* 

'Tis inconsistent a good deal 

With that respect for you I feel — 



* Mr. Kemble wore his common walking dresi. 



164r THE 0. P. WAR. 

I've waited on the worthy set 
Who at the Crown and Anchor met. 
Proposals have been made — agreed to — 
To which I trust you will accede too. 
The pit shall be th' old price again, 
The boxes at the new remain— 
The private boxes too, I say, 
Shall with the season die away." 
From ev'ry part u huzza," they cried, 
Though some were still dissatisfied. 
* 4 Now gentlemen I here declare, 
That it shall be our future care 
Past follies never to repeat, 
So pray forget them I entreat — 
My partners and myself implore 
Forgiveness — we'll do so no more. 
We'll send to our attorneys now, 
And all proceedings stop, I vow." 
<{ Discharge the box-keeper," they cried, 
44 Discharge him," echoed from each side- 
To this would Kemble have replied j 
But as he answered not with Yes, 
They all began to roar and hiss. 
The farce they now essay'd in vain, 
For wild the tumult was again. 



THE O. P. WAR. 165 

While Munden, in King Arthur's part, 
With his full-bottom'd wig so smart, 
Perform'd a servant's part as well, 
In which in truth he did excel, 
He stopp'd — held converse with the pit, 
And was the person deem'd most fit- 
All messages to carry — so 
King Arthur strutted to and fro — 
Ambassador was he this night, 
It was indeed a comic sight — 
Tom Thumb's a burlesque we'll allow. 
But never more so than 'twas now. 
At last poor Mr. Brandon came — 
But, " Off! Be gone!" did they exclaim. 
11 Off! off! Be gone !" cried the O. P.'s, 
" Or ere you speak down on your knees." 
King Arthur at his elbow stood, 
To prompt he now was in the mood. 
But when at Brandon sticks they threw, 
Away King Arthur nimbly flew — 
And friendless Brandon too withdrew. 
Young Harris came to intercede, 
But all in vain he spoke indeed — , 
So finding he could not be heard, 
He bowed, and quickly disappear'd. 



166 THE O. P. WAR. 

And now the clamour never stopp'd 
Until at length the curtain dropp'd. 
They chang'd their favorite dance O. P. 
Then into one they call'd B. D.* 
The Wheel of Fortune 'twas next night, 
And the Blind Boy — a brilliant sight ! 
The pit at the old price was full, 
This was the triumph of John Bull. 
Now Kemhle his appearance made. 
For he his part Penruddock play'd. 
And ere the comedy began, 
Throughout the house a rumour ran 
That Mr. Brandon was dismiss'd ; 
But still the people groan'd and hiss'd, 
Till Mr. Kemble enter'd— bow'd, 
And thus address'd the list'ning crowd — 
" Sirs, Mr. Brandon has resigned." 
This was enough — they all were kind — 
With very loud vociferation 
They now express'd their approbation. 
But at the end of the first act 
They murmur'd still — it is a fact — 
A something still did they exact. 

* i, e. Brandon discharged. 



THE O. P. WAR; 167 

It was not general content — 

To Kemble then a note was sent, 

And in this note that had been handed, 

They an apology demanded. 

Now Kemble thought — and he was right — 

This had been done the previous night — 

But as they sought a repetition, 

He forward came with due submission ; 

And said that he and coadjutors 

Were for forgiveness humble suitors. 

They for the past felt much regret, 

And hop'd the town would all forget. 

Th' apology with shouts was hail'd, 

And harmony again prevail'd. 

By condescension and humility 

The managers restor'd tranquillity. 

But to effect this restoration, 

How great indeed their degradation ; 

While, on the other hand, you'll own, 

As great the triumph of the town ; 

For they who proudly thought to rule, 

At length were glad to court John Bull ; 

While independence was his boast, 

Though he against him had a host. 

I should have told you, ere the play, 

The very bills, sir, of the day 



168 THE O. P. WAR. 

Contain'd the managers' concessions. 

And their atonement for transgressions. 

Now, without further molestation, 

The play went on — while approbation 

Of all the actors was repeated, 

And several speeches loudly greeted. 

When Mr. Kemble — 'tis a fact, 

On entering in the second act, 

Again 1 am in London said, 

Loud cheers immediately were paid. 

A speech too, which Charles Kemble made 

About the house's alteration, 

Excited much congratulation. 

On the first piece's termination, 

The deputy again appear'd. 

Yes — Mr. Kemble — and was cheer'd. 

" Sirs," he exclaim'd with a low bow — 

c * Permit me to assure you now 

Those spikes and bais, which are so odious, 

And to the pit too incommodious, 

By Monday next shall be remov'd." 

Of this they very much approv'd. 

Before the Blind Boy though was finished, 

Tranquillity somewhat diminish'd; 

There was not half so much applause, 

Of which the author * was the cause. 

* Captain Hewetson. 



THE O. P. WAR. 169 

For he had been, you needs must know, 

To the O. P.'s a well-known foe — 

And certainly for being so 

He was too blame, for I insist 

That every author — dramatist — 

Who by his pen hopes for renown, 

Should keep in favor with the town. 

Spite of all this, it now was plain, 

That peace resum'd her reign again. 

" We're satisfied," exclaim'd the town, 

In a placard that now was shown — 

Thus peace, my friend, was sign'd and ra. 

tified. 
In ev'ry wish th' O. P.'s were gratified. 
And $o 9 for the succeeding days, 
In quietness went on the plays ; 
And Mr. Kemble deem'd it right 
To come forth every second night. 
He did successively appear 
In Hamlet, Zanga, and King Lear. 
There was some little hesitation, 
(It may be call'd — equivocation) 
About the private boxes — when 
Some of the O. P. gentlemen 
Insisted they did not accede to 
The resolution they'd agreed to* 
I 



170 THE O. P. WAR. 

The managers now to the same 
Of the old playhouse laid a claim.* 
But these, the gentlemen complain'd, 
Too many were to be retained* 
They were resolv'd this great abuse 
Of boxes — they should now reduce 
To what sev'n years ago they were, 
'Fore Mr. Kemble bought his share. 
At length, the managers, afraid, 
This grand concession + quickly made. 
The victory was thus complete — 
It was a triumph very great. 



* Underneath the playbill of Dec. the 20th was the 
following advertisement : — 

<c It having been suggested to the proprietors that the 
advertisement relative to that part of the front boxes 
which is now occupied by annual boxes, is liable to 
misconstruction. They beg leave most respectfully to 
state, that, at the end of the present season, they will 
open to the public the circle of public boxes, retaining 
only the seven annual boxes on each side, as they stood 
in the old theatre." 

+ Underneath the playbill of Dec. the 26th was the 
following advertisement : — 

" The public are most respectfully informed, that 
after this season the entire circle of upper boxes will be 
open to general use, excepting only three annual boxes 
on each side of the theatre." 

This of course will render the number of privaU 
boxes only ten, as in th» year 1802. 



THE O. P. WAR. 171 

And thereupon a song they wrote. 
Which I shall here beg leave to quote. 
For ballad singers now with glee 
Proclaim'd 



THE O. P.'s VICTORY. 



Again the vocal tumult roars, 

The O. P.'s lake their ground, 
On all sides reinforcements pours, 

At rattles' well known sound ; 
Then shouting forth their fav'rite songs, 

They beat time as they sing, 
Britons strike home ! avenge your wrongs, 

And then — God save the King. 
With a hey ho rattle, 
Hark forward to battle. 



While as the battle fierce did glow, 
John Kemble stood in view, 

Begg'd silence — making them his bow- 
" O. P.'s I yield to you, 



172 THE O. P. WAR* 

" Brandon shall quit us in a trice, 

" No private box shall be, 
66 And Pittites — you shall have old price j 
u You've gain'd the victory. 

" With your hey ho dancing, 
" Hark forward and prancing." 



Placards of a new kind, soon after, 
To raise our pity, not our laughter, 
Were held to view — a supplication 
For Mr. Brandon*s restoration. 
Even Mr. Clifford too, so kind, 
In this solicitation join'd; 
But since so late he was expeird, 
At present mercy was withheld. 
However, with humiliation, 
He importun'd his situation, 
And pardon in the prints implor'd, 
So that, my friend, he's now restor'd, 
But to proceed— in celebration 
Of this grand reconciliation, 
Another dinner in the Strand 
Was fix'd on by this jovial band. 
The managers were now invited 
To be with the O. P.'s united. 



THE O. P. WAR. 173 

Methinks you cry — Here is a change, 

Most wonderful indeed and strange ! 

Yes, friend, so wonderful, the news 

Became the subject of a muse. 

Another song was thereon written, 

Which you may think there is some wit in — 

I therefore give it — here you'll see 



THE MANAGER TURN'D AN O. P. 

The O. P.'s together will dine I declare, 

" Heigh-ho," says Kemble, 
64 And Counsellor Clifford will be in the chair ; 
" Egad I should like very much to be there, 
With my rowly-poly, gammon and spinnage, 

" I'll go," says Manager Kemble. 

c< I find 'tis in vain the O. P.'s to oppose, 

" Heigh-ho," says Kemble, 
u I can't keep them quiet, by words or by- 
blows." 
So straightways to Counsellor Clifford he goes, 
With his rowly-poly, gammon and spinnage, 
44 A parley," says Manager Kemble. 
i 3 



174 THE O. P. WAR. 

" Mr. Kemble (said Clifford) what want yom 
with me?" 
" Heigh-ho," says Kemble, 
ii I very much wish of your party to be ; 
u t You've work'd my conversion, I'm turn'd 
an O. P." 
With my rowly-poly, gammon and spinnage, 
15 I have," says Manager Kemble, 

u To your meeting I'll come, if your friends 
are well bred, 
(< Heigh-ho," says Kemble, 
if But I fear they'll throw plates, knives, and 

forks at my head." 
Says Clifford, u On that point you've nothing 
to dread." 
With rowly-poly, gammon and spinnage, 
" Then I'll come," says Manager Kemble, 

Impatient he waited two hours in the hall, 

u Heigh-ho," says Kemble. 
He saw all that pass'd through a chink in the 

wall ; 
But he dar'd not go in till the chairman did call, 
With his rowly-poly, gammon and spinnage, 
u Make haste," says Manager Kemble. 



THE O. P. WAR. 175 

Mr. Clifford then rose and address'd the O. P's. 

44 Heigh-ho," says Kemble. 
Says he, " Gentlemen, Kemble will do what you 

please, 
He's here, have him in, and he'll go on his 
knees." 
With his rowly-poly, gammon and spinnage, 
44 Lord help me!" says Manager Kemble. 



The jolly O. P's. then sat up a great row, 

44 Heigh-ho," says Kemble. 
44 Come, hand up the manager, have at him 

now!" 
Mr. Kemble sneak'd in, and made many a bow. 
With his rowly-poly, gammon and spinnage. 
44 A truce," says Manager Kemble. 



u My theatre, nightly, with orders is filling^ 

44 Heigh-ho," says Kemble. 
44 To meet you half-way I'm ready and willing, 
44 The sixpence I'll wave, if you give me a 
shilling," 
With my rowly-poly, gammon and spinnage. 
44 More yet!" says Manager Kemble. 



176 THE O. P. WAR. 

u No private boxes," they loudly did bawl, 

u Heigh-ho," says Kemble. 
" I promise ye half to the public shall fall, 
M And if that won't content ye, I'll let them 
have all." 
With a rowly-poly, gammon and spinnage. 
cc What next," says Manager Kemble. 

The pigeon-hole boxes next serv'd them for 
raillery, 
44 Heigh-ho," says Kemble. 
44 Next season I'll turn them all into the gal- 
lery, 
44 So you'll let me but act, and thus pocket my 
salary." 
With my rowly-poly, gammon and spinnage. 
44 Ask on," says Manager Kemble. 

44 We'll have Brandon discharg'd, he's the 

source of all evil," 

44 Heigh-ho," says Manager Kemble. 

44 >Tis granted! and if but to me you will be civil, 

44 I'll willingly send all my friends to the devil." 

With my rowly-poly, gammon and spinnage. 

44 Have you done," says manager Kemble, 



THE O. P. WAR, 177 

Then he got on the table, and danc'd the O. P. 

u Heigh-ho," says Kemble. 
a Ev'ry thing you desire now I've done t# 

aT. 
u So you cannot do less than give three cheers 
for me." 
With my rowly-poly, gammon and spinnagc. 
46 Good bye," says Manager Kemble. 

And now, on Thursday, as we find. 
The managers and 0. P's. din'd 
Together — January four — 
When every face good.humour wore. . 
It seem'd a reconciliation— 
Of which 'twas in commemoration. 
Again was Clifford in the chair, 
While Kemble and Harris Junior were 
On Mr. Clifford's right-hand seated — 
As by the chairman was entreated ; 
But his left-side he did confer 
Upon the O. P. treasurer;* 
In short, all comfortably sat, 
With many smiles, and much chit-chat. 

* Mr. Miller, treasurer to the O. P. fond. 



: 



178 THE O. P. WAR. 

As soon as was the cloth remov'd, 

The King's health highly was approved ; 

A toast,* relating to the cause 

Of meeting, also met applause. 

Now Kemble rose, and gave his word, 

He with their sentiments concurr'd ; 

And, with his friend, + begg'd leave, I think, 

The healths of all around to drink. 

Then other toasts fill'd up the time, 

But which I cannot put in rhyme — 

So in a note, J as given, take them, 

And see if couplets you can make them. 

Thus all was amity and glee — 
They also drank, with three times three. 
The healths of Kemble and young Harris : 
And now the former went so far as 
T' assure them he could not refrain 
From drinking all their healths again ; 
And so he did. Young Harris then 
A speech deliver'd : — " Gentlemen, 



* Viz. " May this happy reconciliation be of equal 
advantage to the public in amusement, as to the proprie- 
tors in emolument." 

+ Mr. Harris, Junior, 

J Viz. " May a brow -beating judge ever be opposed 
by an enlightened and impartial jury." 

" The Bin of Rights, and condign punishment to those 
magistrates who infringe it by requiring excessive bail." 



THE O. P. WAR. 179 

All present I sincerely thank, 
Because my health you freely drank ; 
And fain my pleasure I'd declare, 
That of your dinner I took share — 
For now, I trust, we all are friends, 
And that to day contention ends." 

From every part loud cheers ensued — 
But is't not time I should conclude ? 
Suffice it then, my friend, to say, 
They all shook hands and went away. 
Such was the dinner, and, I hear, 
'Twill be continued every year. 
Thus did the O. P. battle end— 
And heartily I wish, my friend, 
That all hostilities did cease, 
And that it was a gen'ral peace; 
That all mankind, with tranquil hearts, 
Upon life's stage might play their parts— 
This is, indeed, the prayer most fervent, 

Of 

Your obedient, 

Humble servant, 
S. 

FINIS. 

HgneY) Printer, Crown-Court, Aldersgate- Street. 






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